Inside Philippine politics & beyond

Why I believe Rodrigo Duterte is copying Marcos’ moves to set up a dictatorship

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By Raïssa Robles

(I gave this brief speech when I was a discussant in Friday’s University of the Philippines forum, “Never Again, Never Forget: Martial Law, the Academe, and the Public”. Being neither a UP professor nor a state employee who is banned from expressing political opinion, I felt I was free to point out how one presidential candidate was closely mimicking what the Dictator, Ferdinand Marcos, did in 1972. My deep thanks to the UP College of Social Sciences and Philosophy and the Department of History for inviting me to be part of their historic two-day Forum.)

USE THIS - 2016 Elections UPDATES June 8-15

In this election, Filipinos are faced with a tough choice: Do they want democracy, no matter how deeply flawed, or do they want a dictatorship, where they hand over all their civil and political rights and trust the dictator to do good by them.

When I wrote my first book on Elpidio Quirino, I made it a study on state corruption. My latest book, Marcos Martial Law: Never Again, is  a study of one-man rule, how Marcos set it up, how he used torture and atrocities to perpetuate it.

It’s a lesson the Filipino people have not been able to absorb, perhaps because there were few books written on the subject which zeroed in on the atrocities. Those who intimately knew about it could not write it because they were still emotionally broken by the experience or had things to hide.

Although the events took place over 35 years ago, the topic was also still a minefield for libel suits. I realized early on that my approach had to be partly historical, and partly investigative in a journalistic manner.

Fortunately, I had taken a course on Historiography under Professor Taylo, although I had to drop the subject due to work. And Professor Donata Taylo was a very demanding teacher. She wanted us to read the original documents in Spanish and my Spanish wasn’t that good.

Another person who taught me research for historical purposes was Dr. Ricardo Jose, who was even then gathering eyewitness accounts on World War II. I joined him in some of the interviews. Later, my husband, Alan, who is the editor of my book and who reads extensively on history edited my drafts teaching me me how to structure, source and write history in an engaging manner.

My aim for this book Marcos Martial Law: Never Again was simple. I wanted the reader to understand how a highly charismatic person could seize power with sweet promises of reforms and a better life and rule indefinitely.

Once written I hoped that even decades from now the text would resurface if a great, great, grandchild of Marcos would again paint a glowing picture of his ancestor the dictator and use that to campaign for the presidency.

Let me cite an example of how this works. In 2007, the Vatican announced that the Spanish priest Gabino Olaso Zabala was to be beatified a martyr who died for his faith in Spain.

Unfortunately for Zabala, one of his torture victims, Father Dacanay, had written about his ordeal in 1897. In 1982, American writer and Episcopalian missionary William Henry Scott included the priest’s narrative of his cruel torture, which he called the “bamboo foot”, in his book Cracks in the Parchment Curtain:

“The victim is made to squat down on his haunches. A thick bamboo is passed beneath both knees, and then his two wrists are tied together in front with a rope, with his arms under the bamboo on each side. In this position, the victim is nothing but a ball, for if he attempts to move, he is sure to roll over on the ground. … In this contorted and painful position, [the guards] struck me many blows on the shoulders with a thick bamboo they call “brute” every time I answered in the negative, leaving me horribly swollen and bruised.”

Augustinian priest Fernando Rojo, who had pushed for Father Zabala’s sainthood, conceded that the torture incident was not taken up during the vetting process since it was not known. Filipino theologian, Father Dionisio Miranda, cautioned that honoring a “former torturer will be sending a highly ambiguous message which will ill-serve the interests of the Church, Augustinians and the ‘Blessed Gabino Olaso’.” He added, though, that Olaso’s subsequent martyrdom “deserves to be considered as having washed away all his sins by dying for his faith”.

When I was finishing my book last December, I was startled to see Rodrigo Duterte copying from Marcos’ techniques in imposing his dictatorship. And people who should know better – the educated, the wealthy and the powerful – applauding him, idolizing him.

For instance, one of the first things that Marcos did was to expand the size of the military, especially those who were directly under his most faithful general Fabian Ver. Duterte told Reuters news service last December that he would form two new army divisions to tackle security threats. That’s more or less 8,000 men. Would these two divisions constitute an army within an army, which is basically what Marcos had with Gen. Ver?

More recently, Duterte modified his statement saying he would need only 3,000 men. Still, that strike anywhere force would be under his direct command or that of a trusted general.

Last October, Duterte told Rappler:

“It’s going to be a dictatorship. It’s the police and the military who will be the backbone. If they agree with you – if the right-thinking policemen and military men agree with you – then after 6 years, there will be a new set-up: maybe a federal type, less corruption, and a fresh air for the next generation.”

Duterte also announced that he would increase the pay of police and the military, which is what Marcos also did.

Duterte said he would execute drug traffickers. Which is what Marcos did with Lim Seng early on.

Duterte said he would send the Army to “smash” Congress if Congress opposes his moves to fight criminality, Which is also what Marcos did in 1972.

Duterte said this week that if the Senate tries to impeach him over allegations of hidden wealth, he would shut down Congress. Before Marcos had imposed Martial Law, calls were mounting to have Marcos investigated for his hidden wealth abroad.

Duterte said he would also muzzle the judiciary, if the judiciary tries to question him. And that’s what Marcos did.

There are so many indications even today that Duterte –  like Marcos –  intends to violate the Constitution and his oath (as President) to preserve and defend the Constitution.

Duterte recently told graduating students of Lyceum University that he intends to put up a “revolutionary government”. He told them “I’m left of center something, but I’m not really a hardcore anti-government.” He called the Communist Party of the Philippines “too far Left. I do not agree with the armed struggle and the killing of Filipinos,” he said.

And yet he intends to kill Filipinos whom he defines as criminals.

One thing that the Marcos period should have taught us is this. Without the checks and balances of other institutions like Congress, the Judiciary and the Media, a dictator is free to define who a criminal is, who can be arrested and who can be put to death.

It doesn’t have to be Duterte, it could be someone else in the future – once that person sets himself up as a one-man rule, that person will define what a crime is and who the criminals are.

That is what Marcos did. He expanded the crimes for which one could be arrested. Duterte says  only drug traffickers and kidnappers will be killed. But who is to say that if you offend him, you could also be put to death? At least two journalists who offended Duterte in Davao ended up dead.

A one-man rule, without Congress and with an emasculated Judiciary, will be making laws as the ruler pleases, just like what Marcos did.

And here’s the thing. To Duterte, Marcos is not a criminal. Duterte sees the plunderer, torturer, murderer and liar as a hero whose corpse should be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes Cemetery). He also said he would grant former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s appeal for house arrest.

What few people don’t know is that one of Arroyo’s most loyal allies – retired Armed Forces Chief of Staff Hermogenes Esperon – was among those who prodded Duterte to run for the presidency. Esperon was an intelligence man who told me during a one-on-one interview that he spied on the Marcos opposition who were abroad. I can therefore see General Esperon playing an advisory role to Duterte on security matters.

Those who would vote for Duterte would be making a leap into the unknown. While he has vowed to stamp out criminality in the first six months of office, he has not spelled out what he intends to do for the rest of his six-year term.

Unlike Marcos, however, Duterte seems to be winging his plan to establish a dictatorship. Marcos took seven years to lay out an elaborate plan. Duterte intends to do it in months. That, I believe, is a recipe for disaster.

Comments

    • get ready for another people power!

      nalalapit na palitan si PDU30!

      sobra nah! tama nah!

      mayruong naka-antabay na mga ‘false flags’ o gawa-gawang pang gulo ang berdugong PanGulo at mga kampon niya para idahilang ideklara ang Martial Law, uli!

  2. Hello Raisa. I agree with your assessment 100%. I didn’t have a chance to read the hundreds of comments though so I am not sure if this has been brought up.

    First, in the course of Duterte’s political history, he seemed content in overseeing Davao (moving positions only because of term limits). Even with the presidential election, he played coy and only announcing that he will run following the Grace Poe citizenship fiasco (which is not a very comforting reason to seek the highest post in the land).

    Second, he hasn’t exactly been reassuring in his statements. He constantly threatens to kill, never talks favorably about human rights, insults gays and women, and seemingly has a one-track mind that it’s drugs, drugs, drugs. With his pronouncements on the Marcos burial, his statements are pretty half-ass (pardon my French) and going by technicalities. “Was he not as soldier?”

    Now, he’s no political neophyte. This makes me believe that all this hateful words and actions that tend to incite people are meant to do just that. By his actions related to the Marcos burial, I think it threatens to unite his opposition. And I do think this will unite the opposition. But why do that when it’s more intuitive to divide and conquer?

    Is he attempting to create a violent face-off that will ultimately be grounds for Martial Law?

    But he’s a +70-year old man that hasn’t shown a growing lust for power (just plain old lust).

    Is he setting it up for someone else (yeah let’s keep that cryptic)?

    It would be great to hear your thoughts on this. (Fair call out — to date, Duterte has denied wanting to declare ML, but one pronouncement does not make a track record).

    By the way, kudos to you for remaining respectful despite some nasty, brainless trolling that I’ve seen in your site’s comments section.

      • Remember the smile of Monalisa, the smile that holds a thousand secrets and had been fascinating all with that :) for decades who cares to see.

        Take care , Raissa.

        Pls. see a FB pg as you wish , Green Emerald Arrow, THANKS :)

        • You answer straight as an arrow with everyone else and decided to by cryptic with me.

          Sorry, I totally missed your references. A more obvious answer please. Who the heck is Green Emerald Arrow? I think you’re giving too much credit that I’ll understand

        • Cryptic with you? Not at all, it was intended for Raissa whom I consider a beautiful soul.
          She knows the original me for I didn’t hide my cyber person from her.

          “Who the heck is Green Emerald Arrow?
          If you missed it, then it’s not really for you and I am not compelled to give my explanation here for your benefit.

          Follow the line, the concern is for Raissa when I said take care.

          Who the heck is Nonoy anyway?
          Kudos to you for making that page a free publicity/ attention.
          Sweet :)

        • That’s not very nice , NONOYN.

          WHAT’S YOUR BEEF? I don’t know you, very rare I engaged here to nonsense conflict.

          The comment attributed to was for Raissa., why are you making it a big deal.
          Your sense is…>
          …..Crap indeed, be careful what you say.

          You are becoming a dark person now, that I can sense.
          My last reply, for you are giving me a negative vibe.

  3. During the filming of his documentary on Russia, British presenter Jonathan Dimbleby was contemplating on how to describe the Russia he saw and experienced under Putin’s leadership. He was apprehensive about using “fascist” as he was afraid of affronting the nation who sacrificed more lives among the Allies fighting off Nazi invaders during WWII. Presently he recalled a term first used by writer/raconteur Gore Vidal when referring to William Buckley Sr. – “crypto-fascist” to mean a fascist in thought and sensibility but not in an obvious, visual sense. The description struck me as somewhat descriptive of the current situation in our country. What completely convinced me of the propriety of the term being applied to the Philippines is how Dimbleby enumerated tge characteristics of a crypto-fascist state:
    1. Authoritarianism reigns.
    2. Manipulation of the electoral process
    3. Nationalism is totemized.
    4. Emergence of a charismatic national leader supported by the economic oligarchy.

    Except for #2 – all others are quite evidently present. Of course, this is my point of view. Everyone is privileged to maintain a contrary POV.

  4. He is old and sickly to lead and sustain a military gov’t. Does the plan include the Marcoses’ return to power? Just a thought…

  5. Thanks for this Raissa. Makes me want to get a copy of your book. I didn’t read through all the comments though. So pardon me if I may be repeating a question/observation. So here it is… Where and how does FVR play a role in all of this? I honestly believe that he is the proverbial wolf on sheeps clothing. He fooled us and Cory – which both spared his neck and allowed him to become President. Then he led the party which catapulted GMA into power. Now, Duterte openly thanked FVR for convincing him to run. If there is anyone who learned from Marcos, it was FVR. And if there is anyone who could do “better” than Marcos, it is FVR – and he doesn’t have to be President to do all these… not yet again… for now. Your thoughts?

    • Did you see the date – 2009 – and the sources?

      Oh, I’m sorry if you think it was ill-willed of me to write about the Ampatuan massacre. So sorry.

      And about the Davao Death Squads which came out as early as 2009 in the Human Rights Watch report. So sorry.

      So others may see what I’m talking about, I’m pasting my story here.

      Philippine taxpayers ‘funded death squad’
      PUBLISHED : Saturday, 28 November, 2009, 12:00am
      UPDATED : Saturday, 28 November, 2009, 12:00am

      Raissa Robles
      497 shares

      Filipinos who are shocked by the barbarity of the Maguindanao massacre that killed 27 journalists and 30 others might not realise that they helped pay for it. The killers were militiamen and police officers, armed and funded by the taxpayer, government investigators said.
      Killings carried out by politicians’ private armies are commonplace in the Philippines, especially in election season. But Monday’s carnage in the southern Philippines exposed the unsavoury trend of political warlords placing their henchmen on the state payroll.
      Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno noted the alarming development this week: ‘You know, when there is a local official with criminal intent … they should not be given the ability to use legal institutions to foster their personal agenda.’
      The briefing by Puno and military and police commanders was held after they succeeded in arresting Andal Ampatuan Jnr, a town mayor and member of the powerful Ampatuan clan in Maguindanao, on suspicion that he led this week’s bloodbath. The slaughter has set a world record for the number of journalists killed while reporting on a democratic exercise.
      The reporters were covering the largely female entourage of a candidate’s wife who was on her way to file her husband’s nomination for governor, despite death threats from Ampatuan’s father, three-term Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan Snr, who wanted his son to succeed him.
      In daylight and despite the presence of several police checkpoints, the group was blocked by around 100 uniformed, armed men, state investigators said.
      Their vehicles were forced off the highway at gunpoint and the women were raped before being killed. Others were buried alive while some died inside their cars as the vehicles were smashed by an excavator or backhoe with the markings ‘province of Maguindanao’.
      ‘What has happened here has been a total misuse of our law enforcement personnel in the area and complicity by law enforcement personnel of the commission of this crime,’ Puno said.
      ‘The police forgot that they should defend the Republic of the Philippines, not their godfathers.’
      Learning from the tragedy, the government would ‘identify areas where the chiefs of police and provincial [police] directors may have become so close to the local officials as to lose their impartiality’.
      In future elections, officials’ operational control over the police force in their area would be withdrawn, the minister added. The police have initially identified nine provinces across the nation as next year’s election hot spots because rivals there maintain large private armies.
      The government had a long-standing policy to disband private armies but lacked the political will to enforce it, analysts said. In some instances, such as in Davao city, a clandestine army is used to fight crime through vigilante-style killings, which has also resulted in the deaths of innocent people.
      Human Rights Watch released a 103-page report this year which had conclusions similar to those made by Puno in connection with the Maguindanao massacre. In the report on the mysterious killings in Davao – which rose from two in 1998 to 124 last year – the New York-based NGO said: ‘We found evidence of complicity and at times direct involvement of government officials and members of the police in killings by the so-called Davao Death Squad.’
      It concluded that ‘the words and actions of long-time Davao city Mayor Rodrigo Duterte … indicate his support for targeted killings of criminal suspects’, but did not name him as the mastermind.
      Instead of firing Duterte, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo appointed him her ‘anti-crime czar’. Like most Philippine leaders before her, she has chosen to seal alliances with warlords who can deliver votes, rather than dismantle their private armies.
      Arroyo’s critics have said she has long turned a blind eye on the Ampatuan clan’s wrongdoings. Human Rights Commission chairwoman Leila de Lima reported receiving many complaints of ‘chainsaw’ deaths being blamed on members of the Ampatuan family. No one has been prosecuted because witnesses were too scared to come forward, she said.
      In light of this, the response to this week’s massacre is viewed as a test case. The government has promised an impartial investigation but many are sceptical, especially after witnessing the treatment of the suspect. A cabinet minister escorted him, without handcuffs, by chartered plane to Manila.
      Presidential spokeswoman Lorelei Fajardo summed up Arroyo’s relations with the suspect’s family.
      ‘If we will see later on that the Ampatuans are found guilty, based on the investigation, then whether ally or not they will not be given special treatment and they should be punished,’ she said. ‘But it doesn’t mean that we are no longer friends with them if they are guilty. I think that should be treated separately.’

  7. Once again Filipinos are being duped. If martial law happens again, that means the Filipinos are the most stupid, idiotic race on earth.

  8. What prompted this in the first place. Ineptitude in governance? Corruption in the bureaucracy? Social injustice with the rich getting richer, the marginalized still marginalized and the poor still poor or getiing poorer? Lack of patriotism? The emergence of the country as an almost narco state with government officials, military and police officers involved in the protection and proliferation of the illicit drug trade? Or all of the above? These are all recipes for disaster left unattended for so long a time that drove the people to the edge and in their desperation, they opted for anything or anyone that will get them out of that hapless condition even if it entails being led by a dictator. They’d even sell their souls to the devil. That is how desperate the condition is.

    • we are not an almost narco state. get your facts straight.

      the drug problem is serious but not one that needs emergency powers or martial law.

  9. Dictatorship under pres. digong is not only a possibility, it is a probability. But it is bound to fail.