ADRIAN GUCE_The Case of Liliosa Hilao

Republic of the Philippines BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY Pablo Borbon Main II, Alangilan, Batangas City COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE, FINE ARTS, AND DESIGN Department of Architecture www.batstate-u.edu.ph Tel. No. (043) 425-0139 Loc. 114/115 _______________________________________________________________________________ The Case of Liliosa Hilao: An Individual Moral Dilemma In The Time of Martial Law _________________________________________________________________________ Authored By: ADRIAN JUSTINE A. GUCE BS Architecture – ARC 2111 21-08400 Submitted to: Ms. ANNE FAITH M. ABARQUEZ Course Instructor February 2023 i

TABLE OF CONTENTS TITLE PAGE……………………………………………………………………………………………. i TABLE OF CONTENTS……………………………………………………………………………….. ii ABSTRACT……………………………………………………………………………………...………. 1 WHO IS LILIOSA HILAO? BACKGROUND OF THE SUBJECT…………………………………………………………………..2 SOCIALIZATION & POLITICS ANALYZING THE DILEMMA………………………………………………………………………….3 WOULD I DO THE SAME? CONCLUSION………………………………………………………………………………………….5 BIBLIOGRAPHY……………………………………………………………………………………….6 ii

The Unwavering Resolve of Those Facing Individual Moral Dilemmas in the Shadow of Political Repression and Authoritarianism GEd 107 - Ethics (The Second Level of Moral Dilemma) ABSTRACT This short manuscript examines a case study of a 23-year-old female college journalist who was tortured and gang-raped during the Martial Law period in the Philippines. The paper analyzes the individual moral dilemma that the subject faced of either staying silent or using her voice to speak out against the injustices she witnessed during the time. The paper also delves the concept of socialization as an instrument for control and manipulation. The onset of individual moral dilemmas that arose for Filipinos during the 1970s, as they struggled with conflicts against the expectations and norms set by the time, which used fear and intimidation to control the people. By the end of this paper, the author shared that if I put in the same moral dilemma as Hilao, he would not waver in his decision to do as she did. He affirms “My soul shall rest with pride for I once took a stand against a fight for a better world.” _____________________________________________________________________________________ An important factor of an individual moral dilemma is socialization, and a part of it is by taking a political stand. In fact, when faced with an individual moral dilemma, a person's political stand may influence their decision-making and actions, as it reflects their personal values and principles. 1

CHAPTER I: THE SUBJECT AND SETTING This chapter provides a comprehensive view of the case subject and the conflict. Background of the Subject Liliosa Hilao is a name that remains unfamiliar to many, yet her story remains as a poignant reminder of the courage and conviction of human right advocates in the Philippines. As a campus newspaper writer of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) back in the 70s, she wrote several essays that criticized the oppressive policies of the Marcos regime as part of her OpEd pieces for the PLM school paper 'Hasik'. Hilao's individual moral dilemma was whether to remain silent and safe, or to speak out and risk her own safety and security. Despite the risks involved, she ultimately chose to stand up for her beliefs and speak out against the injustice she saw, even at great personal cost. As a student activist and journalist in the time of martial law, she was arrested and detained by the authorities, and was subjected to torture and sexual abuse while in custody. Despite the torture, she refused to recant her beliefs or implicate her fellow activists. In 1972, her home was raided by drunken members of the Philippine Constabulary Anti- Narcotics Unit, beating her when she demanded a search warrant. She was taken to Camp Crame and later seen by her brother-in-law, who noticed signs of torture and gang-rape. Three days after her arrest, her sister was called to collect her badly beaten body from the hospital. Despite the evidence, the authorities declared her case closed and claimed she committed suicide by drinking muriatic acid. She was 23 years old at the time of her death. 2

Her bravery and commitment to standing up have made her a symbol of resistance and courage during a dark time in Philippine history. Her story serves as an inspiration to those who continue to fight for human rights and justice today, and her legacy continues to live on as a reminder of the power of speaking out against oppression and standing up for what is right. Analyzing the Ethical Dilemma Control The Individual Moral Dilemma Conflict Against Narrative Socialization Political Shaping of Propaganda Public Opinion Control & Manipulation Peer Pressure Social Climbers Fig 1. Individual Moral Dilemma on Socialiation, Public Opinion, and Propaganda Socialization can be an instrument of control and manipulation. It can serve as a mechanism for instilling societal values and norms in individuals. In the Philippines for example, governments and other institutions often use various techniques, such as propaganda and censorship, to shape public opinion and control the narrative surrounding issues. These tactics can put Filipinos in a tough spot, causing them to question what they believe to be right when faced with the messages being conveyed by those in positions of authority. This can lead to a moral dilemma, where one's personal values and beliefs conflict with the information being 3

presented by those in power. Filipinos may find themselves grappling with difficult decisions about whether to take a stand for what they believe or to comply with the messages they are receiving from those in positions of authority. This underscores the importance of developing a critical perspective and being able to discern the truth when presented with information that is designed to manipulate public opinion. Looking back at history, the Martial Law in the Philippines led by the late dictator President Ferdinand Marcos, used several tactics to manipulate public opinion and control the narrative surrounding the regime. One way to this was propaganda. They controlled the media, used it to disseminate messages that portrayed Marcos as a hero and savior of the country and criticisms or opposition to the regime was censored and suppressed. The regime used fear and intimidation to control the population, in which speaking out against the regime was viewed as a threat to national security, making it challenging for individuals to take a stand for what they believed in. Individual moral dilemmas arises when a Filipino began to deal with conflicts against the expectations and norms of the 1970s. Since the regime has perfected their propaganda of creating this apathy and resignation among the people. They portrayed the Martial Law as necessary for the stability and progress of the country, making any opposition seem unpatriotic. A particular individual may be faced with a decision between speaking out against injustice and risking persecution or staying silent to avoid personal harm. These moral dilemmas can be particularly acute in the shadow of political repression and authoritarianism, where speaking out against the government or other authority figures can have serious consequences. 4

Conclusion If I were put in the same individual moral dilemma as Liliosa Hilao, I would not waver in my decision to do as she did. Despite the fear and intimidation tactics, the control on the “patriotic” narrative, and the left-and-right cases of human right violations. My words will be a weapon against any mistreatment and injustices that I encounter, and I will use them to fight for the rights of those who cannot speak for themselves, event at the cost of my own mortal peril. Those who label speaking out against the leader of the country as unpatriotic fail to understand that true patriotism involves defending the well-being and dignity of every citizen, even if it means challenging those in positions of authority. When a student speaks out against a cause, they are not only advocating for their own rights, but for the rights of their fellow citizens. It takes a great deal of courage to challenge those in power and to risk persecution in order to stand up for what is right. But this courage is necessary to bring about change. Martin Luther King's statement that \"Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed\" highlights the fact that true freedom and justice are often achieved only through the persistent struggle and demand of the oppressed, rather than being granted voluntarily by those in power. The satisfaction of knowing that I did what I could is enough to make the sacrifice worthwhile. Even at the cost of my life, even if I don’t live to see the changes I fought, even in complete oblivion when no one might ever remember my name. My soul shall rest with pride for I once took a stand against a fight for a better world. 5

BIBLIOGRAPHY Worksofheart. (n.d.). The Heroes Who Fought Martial Law: Liliosa Hilao. Martial Law Museum. Retrieved February 20, 2023, from https://martiallawmuseum.ph/magaral/the-heroes-who-fought- martial-law-liliosa-hilao/ Declaration of Martial Law. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. (n.d.). Retrieved February 20, 2023, from https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/featured/declaration-of-martial-law/ Five things to know about martial law in the Philippines. Amnesty International. (2022, September 21). Retrieved February 20, 2023, from https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2022/04/five- things-to-know-about-martial-law-in-the-philippines/ 5