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CARPIO, MICO ANTHONY M.

Block G07

Introduction to Law

October 25, 2015

Law at the Time of War

Artikulo Uno: Ang hindi sumunod sa utos ng Punong Heneral ay tatanggalan ng rango
at ipapapatay ng walang paglilitis sa hukuman ng militar. (Article One: That all who refuses to
follow his orders of the General shall be executed without the benefit of a trial in a military
court)

To those who have watched the film, the abovementioned line would surely been one of
the notable factors that gave meat and wit to the movie in general. The line became renowned as
various memes and tweets were posted in social media, manifesting that Artikulo Uno became
part of those that were given substance in the film. Upon encountering those memes and tweets, I
was left with questions about the relevance of laws in the Philippines, especially to that of the
time of war. What does Artikulo Uno entails? How did laws function amidst the revolution? And
why did civilians have to conform? These philosophical inquiries struck me and served to be the
basis for my reflection. The reflection is based on the said line, Artikulo Uno, hence making it as
a mere personal reflection but may give further thoughts to ponder upon.

Ang hindi sumunod sa utos ng Punong Heneral ay tatanggalan ng rango

As laws in its genuine essence are indeed a subject for obedience, I consider it as more of
a mandate as evidently manifested during the time of war, at least. The first part of the Artikulo
Uno posts a position that laws are construed as an order. People followed them not merely for
social order but because of deterrence from further punishment.

ay tatanggalan ng rango at ipapapatay ng walang paglilitis sa hukuman ng militar.

In the time of insurrection from the Spanish Government up to controlled force of the
Americans to our national system, morality seemed to be a vague concept and was based on
customs. By this, I consider that the initial laws that were enacted were lacking of genuine moral
foundation. However, it also has to be noted that these laws have been construed not for the civil
rights of the people but for the safekeeping of our country.

Nonetheless, it may be asserted that these laws at the time of war were established for the
concept of Military Government. It depicted the prevalence of survival rather than of social
tranquility. Evidently, the lessons learned from these archaic times can still be considered as
having of great weight in the current society. Nevertheless, in times of pandemonium, we may
always resort to the needs of law by considering its mandatory effect towards mans self-
preservation.

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