PHILIPPINES
AT A CAFÉ in Baguio City, Philippines, on the island of Luzon, Mary Lou Marigza’s voice trembles as she recounts her experience as a political detainee under then-dictator Ferdinand Marcos, who imposed martial law in the Philippines from 1972 until 1981. Marigza was tortured, mostly by electrocution, for 13 months for organizing anti-government protests.
When the current Philippine president, Rodrigo Duterte, declared martial law on the southern island of Mindanao in May, it reminded Marigza of her time in detention. Like many Filipinos, she believes Duterte may extend military rule nationwide. Already, he has threatened to jail martial law critics and dismiss Supreme Court verdicts that challenge his authority.