Martial law survivors vowed that Juan Ponce Enrile will be remembered “not as a statesman or a patriot, but as a perpetrator of human rights abuses, a plunderer, and a personification of impunity.”
Following the death of martial law’s chief architect and administrator, the Campaign Against the Return of the Marcoses and Martial Law (CARMMA) underscored that Enrile oversaw “the widespread repression and atrocities of the Ferdinand Marcos Sr. dictatorship.”
Enrile’s daughter confirmed his passing on Thursday. The former senator, congressman, and defense and finance minister was at least 101 years old. At the time of his death, he was serving as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s chief legal counsel.
CARMMA said Enrile oversaw “at least 3,257 documented extrajudicial killings, 35,000 cases of torture, 737 enforced disappearances, and 70,000 detentions, with 2,520 of those killed subjected to torture and mutilation” as a key implementer of the dictatorship.
‘Mass Murdering Plunderer’
The group accused Enrile of escaping accountability for plunder since his days as Marcos Sr.’s “number one henchman.”
CARMMA recalled that Enrile profited immensely from his closeness to the Marcoses, owning logging companies such as Ameco in Bukidnon, Dolores Timber in Samar, San Jose Timber in Northern Samar, Kasilagan Softwood Development Corp. in Butuan, Eurasia Match in Cebu, Pan Oriental in Cebu and Butuan, Palawan-Apitong Corp. in Palawan, and Royal Match.
“He controlled his business empire with an iron hand and was never held accountable for the Las Navas massacre, in which 45 men, women, and children were killed on September 15, 1981, in Barrio Sag-od, Northern Samar,” CARMMA said.
The Las Navas massacre, considered the worst atrocity during martial law, was reportedly carried out by heavily armed security personnel of San Jose Timber Corp., who were also members of the Special Forces of the Civilian Home Defense Force (CHDF).
“Enrile’s crass opportunism made him available to anyone in power, as his legacy is one of lies and deception, utterly devoid of integrity, and unworthy of honor,” the group added.
Opportunism and Contradictions
After playing a pivotal role in the 1986 EDSA uprising that toppled Marcos Sr., Enrile admitted in interviews that the ambush used to justify martial law had been staged—though he later contradicted himself in his memoirs.
In recent years, Enrile reconciled with the Marcoses and was appointed as Marcos Jr.’s legal adviser following the 2022 presidential elections.
“No wonder that he got away, again, with plunder and graft. All throughout his life, impunity was his hallmark: being acquitted of a plunder case under the Marcos Jr. administration, and being acquitted again of the 15 graft charges before the Sandiganbayan related to alleged misuse of the pork barrel,” survivors said.
‘Tito Johnny’
In contrast, Marcos Jr. paid tribute to Enrile, describing him as “one of the most enduring and respected public servants.”
“Maraming salamat, Tito Johnny,” Marcos wrote. “Paalam at salamat sa isang buhay na buong puso mong inalay para sa bayan.”
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) also issued a statement: “The AFP mourns the passing of former Senator Juan Ponce Enrile.”
Despite arrests for rebellion and accusations of plunder, Enrile died a free man in his palatial home.
Legacy of Lies and Deception
Martial law survivors insisted that Enrile’s legacy is defined by “lies, deception, and a complete lack of integrity—qualities unworthy of honor.”
“He might have escaped the just wrath of the people but we declare that we shall carry on remembering Enrile’s crimes and the thousands of victims of martial law. We will continue to fight against what Enrile stood for: martial law, plunder, reign of terror and deception,” CARMMA said.
“We will continue to struggle for a world the Enriles do not want to see: a world of prosperity for the people not the elite; a world where human rights are respected, and a world where plunderers and fascists are meted justice!” the group added. | via KODAO Productions
