Military history of the Philippines during the Marcos dictatorship
During Ferdinand Marcos’s presidency, Martial Law from 1972 to 1981 gave the military a central role in running the country. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) became Marcos’s primary tool to stay in power. The regime expanded the army and police, gave many officers fast promotions if they were loyal, and kept top commanders in their jobs even after retirement. This created low morale among many soldiers and helped spark the formation of Reform the Armed Forces Movement (RAM) by discontented mid‑ranking officers.
The Marcos era saw widespread human rights abuses. Military camps became detention sites for political opponents, including journalists, activists, and others who spoke out against the regime. Torture and other abuses were reported by international groups, and media and opposition groups faced threats and violence. The government also controlled the press and used security forces to crush dissent.
To shield itself, the regime built up a large security network. The government created civilian paramilitary units like the Integrated Civilian Home Defense Forces (CHDF) in 1977 to augment security forces. Detention centers spread across military bases and other sites held thousands of detainees without trials or clear charges.
Marcos also sought to expand the military’s reach beyond defense. The army and police took on duties such as enforcing economic controls, collecting loans, and supporting development projects. This mix of security power and development work helped weaken local political power and increase the regime’s grip on the countryside.
Two long‑running conflicts began or intensified under Marcos. In the south, the Moro conflict grew after martial law was declared. Nur Misuari’s Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) became a major voice for Moro independence, leading to battles in Mindanao, including the costly 1974 Battle of Jolo. A 1976 agreement (Tripoli Agreement) aimed to stop fighting and grant autonomy, but the promise was not kept, and violence continued. A splinter group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), formed in 1978, and fighting with the AFP continued for years.
In the north, the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA), grew during the martial law years. The NPA started with a small force but gained strength as the regime cracked down on opposition. By the end of the 1970s, the NPA operated in many areas, including Mindanao.
Marcos also pushed plans to build local weapons and military industries under a program called the Self Reliance Defense Posture (SRDP). Some local arms production began, but foreign funding and ambitions waned over time, and the program largely faded before Marcos left office.
By the early 1980s, military loyalty to Marcos was weakening. A major internal challenge came with RAM’s coup attempt in 1986 after revelations of election cheating. Enrile and Ramos sought support from Cardinal Jaime Sin, who urged civilians to form a peaceful barricade along EDSA (Epifanio de los Santos Avenue). Soldiers and civilians joined in large numbers to block the coup. A key turning point was the Sotelo air force deployment, which helped shift the balance away from Marcos. The AFP hesitated to fire on the crowds, and Marcos’s grip on power began to crumble.
Corazon Aquino was sworn in as president on February 25, 1986, after Marcos fled to exile in Hawaii with U.S. help. The United States, which had supported Marcos, eventually withdrew its backing.
The Marcos era left the AFP with a damaged reputation for civilian supremacy and professional standards. After the dictatorship, commissions and reform programs were started to rebuild professionalism in the armed forces. From the 2000s onward, ongoing reforms focused on integrity, performance, and modernization as the military prepared for future security challenges.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 17:47 (CET).