State of Rebellion
Encyclopedia
In the Philippines
, a state of rebellion is a government declaration that suspends a number of civil rights for a short period of time. It is a form of martial law
that allows a government to suppress protest, detain and arrest people, search private property, read private mail, and listen to phone conversations using wiretaps - all without legal warrant
s. It is mainly used to stop an attempted coup
. It differs from martial law, in that the military does not take over functions the government, although the military is often called to protect the government from rebels.
Most recently, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
of the Philippines
declared a state of rebellion in July 2003 after a coup attempt by supporters of the former President, Joseph Estrada
. That was the second time she had used the state of rebellion to quash opposition.
The term "state of rebellion" is a euphemism favored by those in power in the Philippines because former dictator Ferdinand Marcos
ruled under martial law for nine years. Under his rule, martial law was used as an excuse for torture
and other human rights
abuses. Thus a new term was coined to grant the President similar powers without unwanted comparisons to Marcos.
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
, a state of rebellion is a government declaration that suspends a number of civil rights for a short period of time. It is a form of martial law
Martial law
Martial law is the imposition of military rule by military authorities over designated regions on an emergency basis— only temporary—when the civilian government or civilian authorities fail to function effectively , when there are extensive riots and protests, or when the disobedience of the law...
that allows a government to suppress protest, detain and arrest people, search private property, read private mail, and listen to phone conversations using wiretaps - all without legal warrant
Warrant (law)
Most often, the term warrant refers to a specific type of authorization; a writ issued by a competent officer, usually a judge or magistrate, which permits an otherwise illegal act that would violate individual rights and affords the person executing the writ protection from damages if the act is...
s. It is mainly used to stop an attempted coup
Coup d'état
A coup d'état state, literally: strike/blow of state)—also known as a coup, putsch, and overthrow—is the sudden, extrajudicial deposition of a government, usually by a small group of the existing state establishment—typically the military—to replace the deposed government with another body; either...
. It differs from martial law, in that the military does not take over functions the government, although the military is often called to protect the government from rebels.
Most recently, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is a Filipino politician who served as the 14th President of the Philippines from 2001 to 2010, as the 12th Vice President of the Philippines from 1998 to 2001, and is currently a member of the House of Representatives representing the 2nd District of Pampanga...
of the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
declared a state of rebellion in July 2003 after a coup attempt by supporters of the former President, Joseph Estrada
Joseph Estrada
Joseph "Erap" Ejercito Estrada was the 13th President of the Philippines, serving from 1998 until 2001. Estrada was the first person in the Post-EDSA era to be elected both to the presidency and vice-presidency.Estrada gained popularity as a film actor, playing the lead role in over 100 films in...
. That was the second time she had used the state of rebellion to quash opposition.
The term "state of rebellion" is a euphemism favored by those in power in the Philippines because former dictator Ferdinand Marcos
Ferdinand Marcos
Ferdinand Emmanuel Edralin Marcos, Sr. was a Filipino leader and an authoritarian President of the Philippines from 1965 to 1986. He was a lawyer, member of the Philippine House of Representatives and a member of the Philippine Senate...
ruled under martial law for nine years. Under his rule, martial law was used as an excuse for torture
Torture
Torture is the act of inflicting severe pain as a means of punishment, revenge, forcing information or a confession, or simply as an act of cruelty. Throughout history, torture has often been used as a method of political re-education, interrogation, punishment, and coercion...
and other human rights
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
abuses. Thus a new term was coined to grant the President similar powers without unwanted comparisons to Marcos.