1972 in the Philippines

← 1971 1970 1969 1972 in the Philippines → 1973 1974 1975
Decades:	1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s
See also:	List of years in the Philippines films

1972 in the Philippines details events of note that happened in the Philippines in the year 1972.

Incumbents

President Ferdinand Marcos at the White House in 1966.

• President : Ferdinand Marcos (Nacionalista Party)
• Vice President : Fernando Lopez (Nacionalista Party) (until September 23)
• House Speaker : Cornelio Villareal
• Chief Justice : Roberto Concepcion
• Congress : 7th (until September 23)

Events

January

• January 1 – The police drives away an armed gang of 200 men that has raided the town of Banaba in North Cotabato, with 26 civilians and outlaws killed. ^[1]
• January 12 – President Marcos restores the writ of habeas corpus except for those already detained. ^[2]
• January 20 – Armed Moslem gunmen ambush a passenger vehicle with eleven persons aboard near Pikit, North Cotabato, killing ten Christian settlers in a case of reprisal killing. ^[3]
• January 22 – A fire damages the control tower and terminal building of the Manila International Airport in Pasay, kills 7–8 people and injures at least 23 others. ^[4]

February

• February 14 – A huge explosion on the site of the World War II ammunition dump within a plastics factory in Pandacan, Manila, causes fire and damages as well adjoining elementary school and many residential buildings around it; kills 16–17 and injuring as high as seventy others. ^[5]

March

• Early March – Massive spraying is held in large areas of Palawan island about a week after malaria-bearing African mosquitoes, which has brought by Japanese scientists, escape from a cage in Puerto Princesa, Palawan. ^[6]

April

• Early April – President Marcos issues an executive order allowing trade with all Communist and Socialist countries which have no diplomatic relations with the country, as well as importation of commercial goods from these countries. In effect, the country will set a deal with China which involves trading on a government-to-government basis, and the national government assigns National Export Trading Corporation as the country's only trading firm to handle trade talks. ^[7]
• April 25 – Explosion of hand grenades tossed into a crowded town square in Cabugao, Ilocos Sur, during a fiesta kills 17 persons and injures nearly a hundred including provincial governor Chavit Singson, in an assassination attempt against him. ^[8]

June

• June 24 – The military launches a joint drive against criminals in Mindanao island group. Meanwhile, pirates attack a motorized boat between Balimbing and Simunul in Sulu, and kill five of seven persons aboard. ^[9]
• June 25 – Typhoon Konsing landfalls on Luzon. It caused 131 deaths and $15 million worth of damage.

July

• July 4 – Moslems on boats attack a Christian village in Mabuhay, Zamboanga del Sur. Nineteen are reported dead on both sides; six raiders are later captured by the military. ^[10]
• July 5 – A team of Philippine Constabulary elements discovers MV Karagatan, a freighter has been grounded in the shoreline of Digoyo Point in Palanan, Isabela, which is providing supplies to the New People's Army. The outnumbered team is later involved in a three-day gunfight with the NPA in the mountains, with two Constabulary men injured and preventing the NPA from taking the ship. The operation captures several firearms and ammunition. The incident is one of the reasons of the imposition of Martial Law. ^{[2] [11]}
• July 6 – An encounter between followers of Moslem leader Datu Ugol and security forces, who have escorting provincial governor Jose Tecson and municipal mayor Dogracias Carmona, erupts in Dimataling, Zamboanga del Sur. The officials are to meet Datu Ugol in a peace conference when one of the Moslems hacks Carmona to death. Eight Moslems, two policemen and five soldiers are likewise reported killed; Tecson and his escort are later rescued by military helicopters. ^[10]
• July 7 – The (1971) Constitutional Convention votes for the changing of the form of government from the presidential to the parliamentary system. ^[2]
• July – August – A series of weather disturbances with heavy rains—the country's heaviest since 1911—hit a wide area covering almost the entire Central Luzon and the present-day Metro Manila, which are being inundated by the floods. President Marcos later proclaims a state of emergency due to several casualties being reported. ^[12]

August

• August – The Supreme Court, acting on the petition filed by American businessman William Quasha, declares, in what is called the "Quasha decision", the non-extension after 1974 of American ownership rights granted by the parity amendment, and the illegality of American ownership of private agricultural land between 1946 and 1974. ^[2]
• August 24 and 28 – Two separate raids by Moslems occur off Siay, Zamboanga del Sur. Six aboard a motorboat are killed in the first attack. Later, an armed band, the Barracudas, raids a motor launch, killing 13; seven others aboard are reported missing. ^[13]

September

• September 6 – President Marcos, condemning a deadly hostage-taking in Munich, West Germany, orders the Philippine team, consisting of 54 athletes and 23 officials, to withdraw from the Olympics and "to return home immediately." ^[14]
• September 11 – Bombing attacks at the main office of the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) and a nearby power substation cause a blackout in several areas in Manila; and are blamed on communist rebels. ^{[2] [15]}
• Mid-September – Senator Ninoy Aquino, in his privilege speech at the Senate, exposes Oplan Sagittarius ^[a] as being revealed to him by sources in the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Under the plan, allegedly for President Marcos to seize power and which has been conceived even before the wave of bombings since March, Greater Manila, the towns of Rizal and the entire Bulacan would be placed under martial law. ^{[2] [16]}
• September 16 – The old Colgante Bridge in Naga, across the Bicol River, collapses from the weight of devotees watching a fluvial procession during the regionwide festival of Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia ; 138 persons die. ^[17]
• September 21 — President Marcos signs Proclamation No. 1081 , placing the country under martial law ^{[2] [16]} reportedly due to increasing communist activities. ^[18] While the document bears this date, the public announcement is made two days later. ^{[2] [19] [b]} As a result, Marcos would function also as Congress, ^[16] as it is dissolved ^[20] and its building is padlocked shut. ^[21] Constitution and the writ of habeas corpus are suspended. ^[20]
• September 22 – Defense Secretary Juan Ponce Enrile survives an ambush, ^[22] allegedly by the communists, on his convoy while on his way home to Makati, Rizal. ^{[2] [23]} Although Enrile would admit at a 1986 press conference that the incident had been staged, ^{[2] [23]} this claim has been disputed. ^{[16] [24]}
• September 23:
  • President Marcos orders the arrest of his political opponents. ^{[2] [16]} Senator Aquino, also leader of the opposition Liberal Party (LP) and his main political rival, is the first to be arrested by the military for being a "communist collaborator", at the Hilton Hotel in Manila. ^{[16] [25]}
  • The military begins a roundup of individuals, ^{[16] [22]} arresting some 8,000 within the first few hours, and taking them to Camp Crame; ^[21] among them opposition politicians and journalists, student and labor leaders, civil libertarians, members of the elites, ^[21] constitutional delegates, and leaders of crime syndicates. ^{[22] [c]} In December, 15 journalists including publisher Chino Roces, and LP senator Ramon Mitra, are among those granted provisional freedom. ^[22] Meanwhile, foreign journalists are later deported. ^[16]
  • All communications and public utilities are seized by the military ^[20] and placed under their control upon Marcos' orders. ^[16] Some of several media establishments which immediately closed down, ^{[2] [16]} being the government's mouthpieces, are later reopened ^[16] but under censorship. ^{[20] [d]} Meanwhile, seized public utilities include Meralco, Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company, and Iligan Integrated Steel Mill. ^[20]
  • Marcos imposes a pre-dawn curfew and bans public demonstrations ^{[2] [16] [20]} and travel abroad, except on official missions. ^[20] Curfew and travel ban would be lifted on August 22, 1977. ^[20]
  • Marcos orders all schools closed for a week. ^{[16] [20]}
  • Marcos, through nationwide evening broadcasts, formally announces the official declaration of martial law, ^{[20] [21] [22]} citing the attack on Enrile. ^{[2] [16]} Press Secretary Francisco Tatad makes the same announcement four hours prior. ^[16]

October

• October 2:
  • President Marcos issues Presidential Decree No. 7, setting mandatory death penalty on persons who would use either unlicensed firearms or bladed weapons in crimes which would cause deaths. ^[30]
  • President Marcos issues a decree encouraging foreign companies to participate in an expanded search of oil in the country. ^[30]
• October 19 – Japanese Army soldier Kinisichi Kozuka is killed in a gunbattle with government troops in Lubang Island where his companion Hiroo Onoda, who is injured, escapes. The two, who have been hiding since the Second World War, have been believed dead since the end of war. ^[31]
• October 21–23 – A force of nearly a thousand men, calling themselves the Mindanao Revolutionary Council for Independence and being led by the former police chief of Marawi, Lanao del Sur, attacks the city but is forced to withdraw two days later, leaving 75 persons dead. ^[32] After the attack, the Bangsa Moro Army (BMA) under Nur Misuari begins military operations in Sulu, Cotabato, and Zamboanga. ^[2]
• October 21 – President Marcos issues Presidential Decree No. 27, outlining his land reform program. The law provides that all tenants working in more than seven hectares of agricultural lands are to be sold the land at a price higher than the average annual production. The eligible tenant would receive a Certificate of Land Transfer that giving them the right to purchase the identified cultivated areas. ^[2]
• October 29 – Government troops repel in a battle a band of about 500 men, which has attacked a Philippine Constabulary headquarters in Parang, Cotabato. At least 12 of the attackers and one from the government are killed; 22 are injured. ^[33]

November

• November – The national government announces that a rightist conspiracy has been uncovered, involving prominent Filipinos and American mercenaries hired to assassinate President Marcos. ^[22] As of December 9, 85 people have been detained for the alleged plot which has started as early as December 1969, including Sergio Osmeña Jr. and Manila Chronicle publisher Eugenio Lopez Jr. ^[27]
• November 29 – The Constitutional Convention without eleven of its delegates, in its 271–14 vote, approves a draft on the new constitution mainly setting up a parliamentary democracy; ^{[2] [22]} the ratification on whether the 1935 Constitution will be replaced would be held in January 1973. ^[22]

December

• December 7 – First Lady Imelda Marcos, along with three other persons, is injured in a foiled assassination attempt during televised awarding ceremonies on civic beautification campaign in Nayong Pilipino in Pasay. Carlito Dimahilig, a bolo -wielding assassin, is shot dead by security men. ^{[2] [27] [34]}
• December 28 – Forty Moslem insurgents are killed in an assault by government troops on their training camp in Zamboanga del Norte. ^[35]

Holidays

Main article: Public holidays in the Philippines

As per Act No. 2711 section 29, ^[36] issued on March 10, 1917, any legal holiday of fixed date falls on Sunday, the next succeeding day shall be observed as legal holiday. Sundays are also considered legal religious holidays. Bonifacio Day was added through Philippine Legislature Act No. 2946. It was signed by then-Governor General Francis Burton Harrison in 1921. ^[37] On October 28, 1931, the Act No. 3827 was approved declaring the last Sunday of August as National Heroes Day. ^[38] As per Republic Act No. 3022, ^[39] April 9th was proclaimed as Bataan Day. Independence Day was changed from July 4 (Philippine Republic Day) to June 12 (Philippine Independence Day) on August 4, 1964. ^[40]

• January 1 – New Year's Day
• February 22 – Legal Holiday
• March 30 – Maundy Thursday
• March 31 – Good Friday
• April 9 – Bataan Day
• May 1 – Labor Day
• June 12 – Independence Day
• July 4 – Philippine Republic Day
• August 13 – Legal Holiday
• August 27 – National Heroes Day
• November 30 – Bonifacio Day
• December 25 – Christmas Day
• December 30 – Rizal Day

Entertainment and culture

For the events related to Philippine television in 1972, see 1972 in Philippine television.

Sports

• March 20–28 – Marikina hosts the 1972 ISF Men's World Championship in which ten nations participated. ^[41]
• August 26–September 10 – The country participates in the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, West Germany.

Births

• January 30 – Zoren Legaspi, Filipino actor and film director
• March 15 – Michelle van Eimeren, Australian beauty queen and actress
• March 21:
  • Mikee Romero, Filipino businessman and politician
  • Lotlot de Leon, actress
• April 27 – Manilyn Reynes, Filipina actress and singer
• April 28 – Romnick Sarmenta, Filipino actor
• May 3 – Wally Bayola, Filipino comedian and actor
• May 8 – Candy Pangilinan, Filipino actress and comedian
• May 24 – Rosanna Roces, Filipino actress and comedian
• July 15 – Sonny Angara, Filipino politician
• July 26 – Ramil Hernandez, Filipino politician
• August 23 – Bal David, Filipino basketball player
• September 11 – Mujiv Hataman, Filipino politician
• September 12 – Jeffrey Cariaso, Filipino basketball player and coach
• October 7 – Marlou Aquino, Filipino basketball player
• October 10 – Jun Lana, Filipino playwright and screenwriter
• November 10 – Carlos Celdran, cultural activist and performance artist (d. 2019)
• November 21 – John Rey Tiangco, Filipino politician
• December 11 – Janette Garin, physician and politician

Deaths

• April 26 – Fernando Amorsolo, portraitist and painter of rural Philippine landscapes (1972 National Artist of the Philippines) (b. 1892)
• December 6 – José Zulueta, lawyer and politician (b. 1889)

Notes

1. "Oplan" stands for "Operation plan." ^[2]
2. Proclamation No. 1081 is dated September 21. However, when the document is signed and martial law is declared has been disputed by other sources, saying say it in on September 17, 22, or 23—the day it is announced. ^[16]
3. Those rounded up includes at least 100 of 400 listed subversives; ^{[16] [22]} among them are more than 20 journalists, three opposition senators, seven constitutional delegates, some student activists, and leaders of crime syndicates. ^[22]
   
   Also arrested within the first days, among others, are: ^[26]
   • Senators Jose Diokno, ^{[2] [16] [20] [26]} Ramon Mitra, ^{[2] [20] [26]} and Sergio Osmeña Jr.; ^{[16] [27]}
   • Former senator Soc Rodrigo; ^{[16] [26]}
   • Publishers Chino Roces and Teodoro Locsin Sr.; ^{[2] [26]}
   • Journalists ^[26] Amando Doronila, ^{[2] [16]} Max Soliven, ^{[2] [20]} Luis Mauricio and Manuel Almario; ^[28]
   • Broadcast commentator Jose Mari Velez; ^{[2] [20] [26]}
   • Businessman Eugenio Lopez Jr.; ^{[16] [29]} and
   • Eleven delegates to the Constitutional Convention. ^[2]
4. For instance, from eight pre-martial law, by December, four English language newspapers would be permitted to resume their publishing. ^[22]

References

1. "Raid Kills 26 In Philippines". The Victoria Advocate . Victoria, Texas. Associated Press. January 2, 1972. p. 5B. Retrieved August 13, 2025– via Google Books.
2. Totanes, Henry (1998). Kasaysayan: The Story of the Filipino People — Volume 10: A Timeline of Philippine History (PDF). Manila: Asia Publishing Company Limited. pp. 231–233. Retrieved August 10, 2025– via Rizal Library, Ateneo De Manila University.
3. "Moslem kills 10 Christian". Wilmington Morning Star . Wilmington, North Carolina. United Press International. January 22, 1972. p. 8. Retrieved August 13, 2025– via Google Books.
4. Manila International Airport fire:
   • "Eight die as $30mill Manila airport blazes". The Sun-Herald . Sydney. Australian Associated Press. January 23, 1972. p. 7. Retrieved August 13, 2025– via Google Books.
   • Philippines: Fire ravages Manila airport building killing seven. Reuters (Footage). British Pathé. January 24, 1972. Retrieved August 9, 2025.
5. February Manila explosion:
   • "16 Killed: Manila Explosion Laid To World War II Bomb kills 16, injures 70". Spokane Daily Chronicle . Spokane, Washington. Associated Press. February 14, 1972. p. 1. Retrieved August 9, 2025– via Google Books.
   • "Blast kills 17 in Philippines". The Bryan Times . Bryan, Ohio. United Press International. February 14, 1972. p. 12. Retrieved August 9, 2025– via Google Books.
6. "Africa Mosquito Escape Cage". The Blade . Toledo, Ohio. Reuters. March 9, 1972. p. 15. Retrieved August 13, 2025– via Google Books.
7. "Trade Deal Set By Philippines And Red China". Youngstown Vindicator . Youngstown, Ohio. Associated Press. April 4, 1972. p. 30. Retrieved August 13, 2025– via Google Books.
8. Ilocos Sur explosion:
   • "Bomb Kills 10 Filipinos". The New York Times . New York City. Associated Press. April 25, 1972. p. 21. Retrieved August 9, 2025.
   • "Grenade Kills 17 in Manila". Florence Times — Tri-Cities Daily . Florence, Alabama. Associated Press. April 25, 1972. p. 3. Retrieved August 10, 2025– via Google Books.
   • "Bombers kill fiesta dancers". Evening Times . Glasgow, Scotland. April 25, 1972. p. 7. Retrieved August 13, 2025– via Google Books.
9. "Pirates Attack Philippine Boat". The Spokesman-Review . Spokane, Washington. Associated Press. June 26, 1972. p. 5. Retrieved August 15, 2025– via Google Books.
10. "Moslem–Christian Strife in Philippines Brings Continual Bloodshed". The New York Times . New York City. July 9, 1972. p. 18. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
11. "Historical development of the Province of Isabela" (PDF) Province of Isabela. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
12. Samonte, Severino (August 10, 2023). "Glimpses & Gazes — Reminiscing on July-August 1972, 2023 typhoons and floods". Philippine News Agency . Quezon City . Retrieved August 9, 2025.
13. "Moslem Terrorists Kill 13 in Philippines". The Press-Courier . Oxnard, California. Associated Press. August 29, 1972. p. 6. Retrieved August 13, 2025– via Google Books.
14. "Marcos orders Philippine team to return". The Straits Times (Malaysian edition) . Kuala Lumpur. September 7, 1972. p. 3. Retrieved August 15, 2025– via Google Books.
15. "Manila Areas Blacked Out In Latest Bombing Attack". The New York Times . New York City. United Press International. September 11, 1972. p. 10. Retrieved August 9, 2025.
16. Pedroso, Kate; Generalao, Minerva (September 21, 2016). "September 1972: Recalling the last days and hours of democracy". Philippine Daily Inquirer . Retrieved August 9, 2025.
17. Naga bridge collapse:
    • "72 die as bridge collapses". The Leader-Post . Regina, Saskatchewan. Reuters. September 16, 1972. p. 4. Retrieved August 13, 2025– via Google Books.
    • Resposo, Eduardo (September 18, 1972). "120 Filipino Pilgrims Die as Span Collapses". The Youngstown Daily Vindicator. Youngstown, Ohio. United Press International. p. 19. Retrieved August 13, 2025– via Google Books.
    • Escandor, Juan Jr. (September 16, 2004). "Martial law eclipsed Naga fiesta tragedy". Philippine Daily Inquirer . Makati. p. A18. Retrieved August 17, 2025– via Google Books.
18. Shea, Joe (September 7, 1972). "The only weapon left is silence". The Village Voice . New York City. pp. 6, 8. Retrieved August 15, 2025– via Google Books.
19. Full Text – Proclamation 1081 Archived August 4, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
20. Halili, Maria Christine (2004). Philippine History. Manila: Rex Book Store. p. 270. ISBN   978-971-23-3934-9 . Retrieved August 11, 2025– via Google Books.
21. Conroy Franco, Jennifer (2001). Elections and Democratization in the Philippines. New York City: Routledge. p. 104. ISBN   0-8153-3734-5 . Retrieved August 11, 2025– via Google Books.
22. Killen, Patrick (January 8, 1973). "Crucial Vote Coming Up For Marcos". Beaver County Times . Beaver County, Pennsylvania. United Press International. p. A-15. Retrieved August 17, 2025– via Google Books.
23. Pedroso, Kate (September 21, 2006). "Timeline — Fake ambush of Enrile ushered in martial law". Philippine Daily Inquirer . pp. A1, A8. Retrieved August 11, 2025– via Google Books.
24. Bueza, Michael (September 23, 2018). "Enrile's 'ambush': Real or not?". Archived from the original on January 18, 2021. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
25. Rowan, Carl (October 11, 1972). "Marcos Regime In Philippines Courts Calamity". The Morning Record . Meriden, Connecticut. p. 6. Retrieved August 17, 2025– via Google Books.
26. Feria, Monica (September 22, 2015). "Sept. 22-23, 1972: Our lives changed overnight". Philippine Daily Inquirer . Retrieved August 14, 2025.
27. "Three men held in Marcos conspiracy". The Michigan Daily . Ann Arbor, Michigan. United Press International and Reuters. December 10, 1972. p. 6. Retrieved August 13, 2025– via Google Books.
28. Samonte, Severino (September 21, 2018). "How I came to know about the 1972 martial law". Philippine News Agency . Retrieved August 14, 2025.
29. de Vera, Ruel (September 21, 2022). "September 1972: When newsrooms went silent". Philippine Daily Inquirer . Retrieved August 14, 2025.
30. "Mandatory Death Penalty in Philippines". St. Joseph News-Press . St. Joseph, Missouri. United Press International. October 2, 1972. p. 2A. Retrieved August 13, 2025– via Google Books.
31. "Philippine troops kill WWII Japanese soldier". The Free Lance-Star . Fredericksburg, Virginia. Associated Press. October 21, 1972. p. 3. Retrieved August 13, 2025– via Google Books.
32. Attack on Marawi:
    • "Philippines quell uprising". Lodi News-Sentinel . Lodi, California. United Press International. October 24, 1972. p. 18. Retrieved August 13, 2025– via Google Books.
    • "20,000 Reds waiting to pounce, says Marcos". The Straits Times (Malaysian edition) . Kuala Lumpur. October 24, 1972. p. 11. Retrieved August 13, 2025– via Google Books.
33. "Philippine Police Report Attack by a Force of 500". The New York Times . New York City. United Press International. November 6, 1972. p. 16. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
34. Attack on First Lady Marcos:
    • "Wife of Philippines President Slashed; Attacker Slain". Youngstown Vindicator . Youngstown, Ohio. Associated Press. December 7, 1972. p. 1. Retrieved August 13, 2025– via Google Books.
    • Durdin, Tillman (December 8, 1972). "Man Is Shot Dead After Wounding Wife of the Philippine President". The New York Times . New York City. p. 1. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
    • Dibble, Arnold (December 7, 1972). "Guards kill attacker of Filipino president's wife". The Bryan Times . Bryan, Ohio. United Press International. p. 3. Retrieved August 13, 2025– via Google Books.
35. "Filipino troops kill 40 guerrillas". The Free Lance-Star . Fredericksburg, Virginia. Associated Press. December 28, 1972. p. 2. Retrieved August 13, 2025– via Google Books.
36. "AN ACT AMENDING THE ADMINISTRATIVE CODE". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. Archived from the original on October 25, 2017. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
37. "Bonifacio Day in Philippines in 2022". Official Holidays. Archived from the original on July 5, 2020. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
38. "Act No. 3827". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. Archived from the original on August 28, 2017. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
39. "AN ACT PROCLAIMING THE NINTH DAY OF APRIL AS BATAAN DAY AND DECLARING IT AS A LEGAL HOLIDAY". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. April 6, 1961. Archived from the original on February 17, 2021. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
40. "AN ACT CHANGING THE DATE OF PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE DAY FROM JULY FOUR TO JUNE TWELVE, AND DECLARING JULY FOUR AS PHILIPPINE REPUBLIC DAY, FURTHER AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION TWENTY-NINE OF THE REVISED ADMINISTRATIVE CODE". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. August 4, 1964. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
41. "Softball Loop lures 18 nations". Manila Standard. January 23, 1992. Retrieved February 17, 2022.