TFDP had its beginning under a dictatorial regime. In the late 1960s, there was broadening and heightening of people's action and struggles against the unjust economic and political order in the Philippines. At that time, only the elite decided the fate of the peoples and the nation, while the majority few lived in misery and did not participate in the making of decisions affecting their lives.
This was met by President Ferdinand Marcos with political repression and the declaration of martial law in 1972. Torture, detention, and killing of political opposition, disappearance of leaders of peasants, workers and students, burning of villages and massive disregard of people's dignity and rights became the order of the day. The legislative branch of government was dismantled and the dictator assumed judicial and legislative powers in addition to its executive functions. Terror was Marcos' response to peoples' protest against injustice.
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