Philippines reported ready to lift martial law Jan. 17

January 7, 1981

Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos will lift martial law on Jan. 17, official sources said. The Manila Bulletin newspaper said Marcos will end martial law by mid-January and the People's Journal said the change could come in two weeks. The date is already known as Constitution Day, in honor of Mr. Marcos's 1973 promulgation of a new constitution. The end of martial law will not change Mr. Marcos's power to authorize the military to arrest suspected subversives or end strike bans on vital industries and the licensing of mass m edia.