Palace welcomes teaching of martial law in UP

Malacañang on Monday supported the idea of teaching the language, literature and culture under martial law in the academe.

“That’s good if it’s a subject matter; every student should know and learn any subject that concerns governance,” presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said at a news conference.

Panelo gave the reaction after One News reported that the University of the Philippines will offer a general education subject about martial law in the Philippines, which was declared during the presidencies of Ferdinand Marcos, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and incumbent Rodrigo Duterte.

Marcos imposed martial rule nationwide from 1972 to 1981. It was marked by massive human rights violations such as killings and enforced disappearances committed by state forces.

Arroyo did so in Maguindanao in 2009 after members of the influential Ampatuan clan allegedly killed political opponents and dozens of journalists.

Duterte declared martial law in 2017 in Mindanao to quell extremist groups accused of plotting a caliphate for international terror group ISIS.

Initially valid for only 60 days, Congress, upon the request of the President, approved the extension of martial law in the region thrice, and is due to end on December 31 this year. —LDF, GMA News