On September 21, 1972, then-President Ferdinand Marcos signed Proclamation No. 1081, placing the entire Philippines under Martial Law. He formally announced this declaration on September 23, citing the increasing threat of communism as the primary reason. This period, known as the Martial Law era, saw the suspension of civil rights, the imposition of curfews, and the arrest of political opponents. Marcos justified these actions as necessary to restore order and stability in the country. However, this era was also marked by widespread human rights abuses and suppression of dissent.