DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-2397.2006.00401.x Int J Soc Welfare 2006: 15: 257– 263 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL WELFARE ISSN 1369-6866 © 2006 The Author(s) Journal compilation © 2006 Blackwell Publishing Ltd and the International Journal of Social Welfare. Published by Blackwell Publishing, 9600 Garsington Road, Oxford OX4 2DQ, UK and 350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148, USA 257 Yu NG. Interrogating social work: Philippine social work and human rights under martial law Int J Soc Welfare 2006: 15: 257–263 © 2006 The Author(s), Journal compilation © 2006 Blackwell Publishing Ltd and the Internation Journal of Social Welfare. This article examines Philippine social work under martial law. The article begins with an account of the assault on human rights under the Marcos regime. It then outlines the response of the mainstream professional community to the challenges under martial law and the implications for contemporary social work practice. Nilan G. Yu University of South Australia, Australia and University of the Philippines, The Philippines Interrogating social work: Philippine social work and human rights under martial law Key words: human rights, martial law, The Philippines, social work Nilan G. Yu, School of Social Work and Social Policy, University of South Australia, Magill, SA 5072, Australia E-mail: nilan.yu@unisa.edu.au Accepted for publication April 19, 2005 Introduction Social workers have been accused of policing the poor and of preserving the status quo by providing a semblance of social reform and change (Cloward & Piven, 1972; Margolin, 1997; Michielse, 1990; Peirce, 1974). A con- struction of the profession that is anchored on social justice requires practitioners to reflect vigilantly on the ways in which this alleged complicity in legitimising inequalities is manifested in their own practice contexts. Otherwise, the practice of the social work would itself be oppressive, perpetuating the social injustices that it claims to challenge. This article provides a critical view of the mainstream construction of Philippine social work as represented by the professional journal Social Work, which was regularly published by the Philippine Association of Social Workers between 1956 and 1984. It does so by discussing a key historical event in Philippine history, namely martial law, and the mainstream professional community’s response to the challenges that it posed, as reflected in journal articles. In essence, this is an interrogation of the mainstream Philippine social work community regarding its actions under martial law. Questions may conceivably be raised about the relevance of the event and such a body of literature in today’s world. I argue here that the dynamics between the particular political economic context and the professional response raises important issues that transcend chronological and national boundaries. Notwithstanding variances in social contexts, this particular experience offers relevant lessons and insights for international social work, which Hokenstad, Khinduka and Midgley define as ‘the profession and practice in different parts of the world . . . the different roles that social workers perform, the practice methods they use, the problems they deal with, and the many challenges they face’ (1992: 4). This article begins with a cursory glance at the assault on human rights under martial law in The Philippines. I will then outline the response of the mainstream professional community to the challenges that it posed, as reflected in the professional journal. Lastly, I will explore the philosophical underpinnings of the response and end with a note on their implications for contemporary social work practice. The word ‘interrogation’ carries a negative connotation for those who witnessed the tragic drama that occurred during martial law. Martial law and the assault on human rights Marcos instituted martial law on 21 September 1972 ostensively to arrest lawlessness and violence. But it has been suggested that this was actually Marcos’ strategic coup in an epic intra-elite struggle meant to curb the power of political rivals and consolidate his own. He disbanded private armies while appropriating greater power for himself by making the Armed Forces of the Philippines ‘his own personal army’ (Brillantes, 1987; Shalom, 1986: 173 –182). To maintain legitimacy, much of what was done under martial law was undertaken in the name of development including the construction of an extensive fishing port, hydro-electric dams and a nuclear power plant, and the exploitation of forest and mineral resources. Many of these, however, resulted in the displacement of marginalised sectors while favouring a select group, mostly relatives