1980 in the Philippines

none April 2013 1980 1936 1980 in the Philippines details events of note that happened in the Philippines in the year 1980. Incumbents center center Ferdinand Marcos' official portrait during his second term (1969) (cropped).jpg President and Prime Minister Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. Ferdinand E.Marcos Sr. 129 Enrique Fernando.jpg Chief Justice Enrique Fernando Enrique M.Fernando 106 Querube Makalintal.jpg 108 House Speaker Querube Makalintal Querube C.Makalintal President: Ferdinand Marcos (KBL) Prime Minister: Ferdinand Marcos (KBL) House Speaker: Querube Makalintal Chief Justice: Enrique Fernando Events January January 30 – The nation's first local elections in the martial law era are held, except in three municipalities in Sulu where voting is suspended. The administration party Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (New Society Movement), having the only full national slate for the local seats, wins almost all of these including all in Metro Manila.Reuters January 31, 1980 Harassment and killings mar Philippine polls https://books.google.com/books?id=gq4TAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA12&dq=philippine+ambush&article_id=2011,5316826&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiA4JHel4OTAxWEZfUHHaFzAHsQ6AF6BAgJEAM#v=onepage&q=philippine%20ambush&f=false New Straits Times Kuala Lumpur February 28, 2026 32 Google Books Since the campaign period, 19 deaths are reported.United Press International January 31, 1980 3 More Die in Philippines https://books.google.com/books?id=880cAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA6&dq=philippine+die&article_id=5924,5775573&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjCq_OMlIWTAxWyka8BHUxzBqYQ6AF6BAgOEAM#v=onepage&q=philippine%20die&f=false The Pittsburgh Press Pittsburgh February 28, 2026 A-10 Google BooksKasaysayan, Volume 10 :A Timeline of Philippine History February Military operations against the religious cult Salvatorre begin in Negros following the latter's attacks on villages and plantations in the island, particularly the burning of at least eleven villages in Negros Occidental. Deadly clashes take place in two provinces until March.United Press International March 13, 1980 9 In Filipino Religious Cult Killed https://books.google.com/books?id=Y7YcAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA2&dq=cult+philippines&article_id=2980,6615617&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjs29zVxIqTAxVelK8BHQ_xGAkQ6AF6BAgNEAM#v=onepage&q=cult%20philippines&f=false Sarasota Herald-Tribune Sarasota, Florida March 2, 2026 3-A Google BooksAssociated Press February 10, 1980 10 fanatics killed https://books.google.com/books?id=koJGAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA6&dq=philippine+death&article_id=1220,1180921&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjui43uk4WTAxWyka8BHUxzBqYQ6AF6BAgPEAM#v=onepage&q=philippine%20death&f=false The Evening News Newburgh, New York February 28, 2026 11A Google Books Grenade attacks in Davao and Cotabato provinces kills seven and injures 150. February 23: A grenade attack at a market in Toril, Davao City, kills two and injures fifty. Three hours later, another grenade attack during a governor's party at a town plaza in front of the provincial capitol in Mati, Davao Oriental, kills two and injures fifty-four.United Press International February 25, 1980 Grenade attacks kill four, injures 104 https://books.google.com/books?id=ZnRkAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA8&dq=philippine+kill&article_id=2999,3055109&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjQrbKpmIWTAxWpdPUHHW-XKCs4ChDoAXoECAsQAw#v=onepage&q=philippine%20kill&f=false The Calgary Herald Calgary February 28, 2026 A8 Google Books March March 7 – An attack on a logging convoy north of Zamboanga City kills at least 13 lumberjacks and security men, and injures 14 others. March 9 – Grenade attacks by suspected Moslem separatists occur in two cities in Mindanao; the worst during the martial law era.United Press International March 10, 1980 21 injured [sic] in Manila attack https://books.google.com/books?id=7URYAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA2&dq=philippine+attack&article_id=3053,4254332&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiG6NK3l4OTAxWAnq8BHdoOAAMQ6AF6BAgKEAM#v=onepage&q=philippine%20attack&f=false The News-Dispatch Michigan City, Indiana February 28, 2026 3 Google Books Deaths and injuries range from 21–35 and 237–283, respectively. Hand grenades thrown into two of four movie theaters in Ozamiz, Misamis Occidental, explode, killing 16 and injuring 120. About 5 hours later, a grenade explosion in a town plaza in Iligan during an outdoor singing contest kills 8–10 and injures 117. A grenade in the city police headquarters fails to explode. One of at least six suspected bombers is later arrested.Associated Press March 10, 1980 24 killed, 200 injured in grenade attacks https://books.google.com/books?id=c2o-AAAAIBAJ&pg=PA13&dq=philippine+attack&article_id=1019,3851031&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiG6NK3l4OTAxWAnq8BHdoOAAMQ6AF6BAgOEAM#v=onepage&q=philippine%20attack&f=false Bangor Daily News Bangor, Maine February 28, 2026 5 Google Books March 11 – A grenade explosion in a residence of a local leader of Kilusang Bagong Lipunan in M'lang, Cotabato, kills one and injures 16.Richardson Michael March 13, 1980 Marcos plan for truce for guerrillas https://books.google.com/books?id=rPpUAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA5&dq=cotabato+attack+1972&article_id=6373,6001561&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiw5N232I6PAxVykq8BHbo1FeEQ6AF6BAgGEAM#v=onepage&q=cotabato%20attack%201972&f=false The Age Melbourne August 14, 2025 6 Google Books March 29 or 30 – A gang of armed pirates attacks Filipino refugees, fleeing from fighting in the southern Philippines, off Danawan Island, Sabah, Malaysia. Ten are killed and eleven others are injured.Australian Associated Press; Reuters April 4, 1980 Pirates kill 10 refugees https://books.google.com/books?id=bp5WAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA3&dq=philippine+kill&article_id=5250,607759&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiX_NrBlIWTAxV8dvUHHY5-KH0Q6AF6BAgLEAM#v=onepage&q=philippine%20kill&f=false The Sydney Morning Herald Sydney February 28, 2026 4 Google Books April April 13 – Suspected Moslem rebels toss grenades to the crowd witnessing the blaze they have set and sweeping through a shopping area of Pagadian, Zamboanga del Sur, killing 13 and injuring 140.United Press International April 15, 1980 Philippine rebels kill 13 with grenades https://books.google.com/books?id=PDkyAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA2&dq=philippine+kill&article_id=6094,2051987&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjQrbKpmIWTAxWpdPUHHW-XKCs4ChDoAXoECAUQAw#v=onepage&q=philippine%20kill&f=false The Gazette Montreal February 28, 2026 2 Google Books April 22 – Passenger ship MV Don Juan bound for Bacolod City sinks in Tablas Strait, 20 nautical miles (37 km) off Maestre de Campo Island, Romblonhttps://www.google.com.ph/search?espv=2&q=maestre+de+campo+island&npsic=0&rflfq=1&rlha=0&tbm=lcl&ved=0ahUKEwib667a5ZbSAhVLf7wKHfrpCy0QtgMIHA&tbs=lf_pqs:EAE,lf:1,lf_ui:1#rlfi=hd:;si:;mv:!1m3!1d217763.2035406635!2d121.77308061475219!3d12.931573487483497!3m2!1i443!2i336!4f13.1;tbs:lf_pqs:EAE,lf:1,lf_ui:1 Maestre De Campo Island Google Maps February 17, 2017 after colliding with the oil tanker M/T Tacloban City.The 1981 World Book Year Book https://archive.org/details/worldbookyea1981chic registration World Book-Childcraft International, Inc. 1981 0-7166-0481-7 Chicago Reported casualties were 18 dead and 115 missing, with 745 survivors. May May 1 – Kilusang Mayo Uno (May First Movement) is organized. May 8 – Detained former Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. is released from detention after being allowed, with conditions, and flies to Texas, United States, to undergo heart bypass surgery. May 26 – The Kabataang Barangay elections (KB) were held. About 3 million Filipino youths aged 15 to 18 years old participated. June June 4 – A commando raid in Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija, and a failed assassination attempt on city mayor Honorato Perez, leaves nine persons dead and more than a dozen injured.Associated Press June 8, 1980 Philippine attack probed https://books.google.com/books?id=wZYyAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA19&dq=philippine+attack&article_id=4983,1824450&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiG6NK3l4OTAxWAnq8BHdoOAAMQ6AF6BAgJEAM#v=onepage&q=philippine%20attack&f=false Lawrence Journal-World Lawrence, Kansas February 28, 2026 18B Google Books July July 14 – The police announces the dismantling of a fanatical religious sect of mountain tribesmen known as Salvatoris, as well having killed some 100 cult members.United Press International July 14, 1980 Philippine police kill 100 members of fanatical cult https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=aEyKTaVlRPYC&dat=19800714&printsec=frontpage&hl=en Telegraph Herald Dubuque, Iowa March 2, 2026 16 Google News Archive (Initial UPI news report.) This follows the surrender of more than 300 cultists in Kabankalan, Negros Occidental, on July 11—the largest batch—in addition to about 350 others earlier. The cult, operating in nine towns of the province, has been implicated in a series of attacks in Visayas;United Press International July 14, 1980 Cultists give up after bloody clash https://books.google.com/books?id=ValUAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA3&dq=cult+philippines&article_id=4136,2942396&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi6ysC6x4qTAxUwia8BHVYCIg04ChDoAXoECAwQAw#v=onepage&q=cult%20philippines&f=false New Straits Times Kuala Lumpur March 2, 2026 2 Google Books and has killed 100 civilians since its establishment in Negros in 1978. Its founder, preacher Alfredo Salvatori, has reportedly returned to Mindanao.United Press International July 14, 1980 Philippine cultists surrender https://books.google.com/books?id=XQFdAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA20&dq=cult+philippines&article_id=2190,1779392&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi6ysC6x4qTAxUwia8BHVYCIg04ChDoAXoECA0QAw#v=onepage&q=cult%20philippines&f=false The Morning Record and Journal Meriden, Connecticut March 2, 2026 20 Google BooksUnited Press International July 16, 1980 Philippine Killer Cult Crushed by Authorities https://books.google.com/books?id=VXdDAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA4&dq=cult+philippines&article_id=6939,845992&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjs29zVxIqTAxVelK8BHQ_xGAkQ6AF6BAgPEAM#v=onepage&q=cult%20philippines&f=false The Middlesboro Daily News Middlesboro, Kentucky March 2, 2026 6 Google Books (Belated, complete UPI news report.) September September 12 – Eight mid-afternoon explosions, reportedly set off by urban guerrillas, strike seven government and commercial buildings in the Metro Manila's worst in the martial law era. An American woman is killed in a department store in Makati, while 33, including three other foreigners, are injured. A group called the April 6 Liberation Movement claims responsibility.Alabastro Ruben Associated Press September 13, 1980 Terrorist Bombs Kills U.S. Woman, Wound 30 in Manila https://books.google.com/books?id=6wYgAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA28&dq=philippine+kill&article_id=1386,2624072&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiX_NrBlIWTAxV8dvUHHY5-KH0Q6AF6BAgQEAM#v=onepage&q=philippine%20kill&f=false The Lewiston Daily Sun Lewiston, Maine February 28, 2026 11 Google BooksUnited Press International September 14, 1980 Authorities Expect Filipino Terrorists To Strike Again https://books.google.com/books?id=rlpDAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA1&dq=philippine+kill&article_id=2688,2690077&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjQrbKpmIWTAxWpdPUHHW-XKCs4ChDoAXoECA4QAw#v=onepage&q=philippine%20kill&f=false Frederick Daily Leader Frederick, Oklahoma February 28, 2026 16 Google Books October October 19 – A bomb explosion occurred at the Philippine International Convention Center during the opening ceremonies of the American Society of Travel Agents congress, just after President Marcos' welcome speech; 18 individuals are injured. This leads to the cancellation of the scheduled six-day meeting.October 28, 1980 Bombing a 'howling success' for Marcos https://books.google.com/books?id=mO5UAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA6&dq=cult+philippines&article_id=6776,5988298&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjs29zVxIqTAxVelK8BHQ_xGAkQ6AF6BAgLEAM#v=onepage&q=cult%20philippines&f=false The Age Melbourne March 2, 2026 6 Google Books October 20 – President Marcos orders the arrest of thirty individuals, including former senator Aquino and nine other political opponents having been forced to live in the United States due to the country's political environment, which he claimed having connections with the April 6 Liberation Movement, an underground group that has claimed responsibility for nearly all the bombings since August until a day prior.Richardson Michael October 23, 1980 Marcos declares war on terrorists https://books.google.com/books?id=lO5UAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA13&dq=philippine+kill&article_id=2600,3583694&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiX_NrBlIWTAxV8dvUHHY5-KH0Q6AF6BAgKEAM#v=onepage&q=philippine%20kill&f=false The Age Melbourne February 28, 2026 13 Google Books November November 8–9 – President Marcos issues proclamations declaring a state of public calamity in the provinces of Aurora, Cagayan, Ifugao, Isabela, Kalinga-Apayao, La Union, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Pangasinan, Quirino, Tarlac, and parts of Bulacan and Pampanga, due to the effects of Typhoon Betty (Aring).Declaring the existence of a public calamity in parts of the provinces of Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija, Cagayan, Isabela, & Aurora PP 2027 November 8, 1980 https://lawphil.net/executive/proc/proc1980/proc_2027_1980.html February 25, 2026 Extending the area covered by the proclamation of the existence of a state of calamity in the wake of Typhoon "Aring" PP 2028 November 9, 1980 https://lawphil.net/executive/proc/proc1980/proc_2028_1980.html February 25, 2026 United Press International November 8, 1980 25 Die in Typhoon https://books.google.com/books?id=3iJJAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA1&dq=philippine+die&article_id=5766,2953554&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjCq_OMlIWTAxWyka8BHUxzBqYQ6AF6BAgIEAM#v=onepage&q=philippine%20die&f=false The Youngstown Daily Vindicator Youngstown, Ohio February 28, 2026 1 Google Books The cyclone has hit Luzon on November 4, and has killed more than 50 people in a landslide in Santa Fe, Nueva Vizcaya.Associated Press November 10, 1980 At a Glance — Avalanche leaves 50 dead https://books.google.com/books?id=lmAfAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA3&dq=philippine+dead&article_id=2342,3000982&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjBnLmLk4WTAxWsslYBHcM4Ep8Q6AF6BAgQEAM#v=onepage&q=philippine%20dead&f=false The Nevada Daily Mail Nevada, Missouri February 28, 2026 5 Google Books December December 13 – New People's Army rebels ambush a passenger jeep in Davao City, killing 13 police constables and 5 civilians.United Press International December 16, 1980 Rebels kill 13 https://books.google.com/books?id=NgciAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA35&dq=philippine+ambush&article_id=6908,2500075&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiA4JHel4OTAxWEZfUHHaFzAHsQ6AF6BAgIEAM#v=onepage&q=philippine%20ambush&f=false The Gazette Montreal February 28, 2026 36 Google Books December 24 – Passenger ferry Alfredo, carrying more than 250 individuals, capsizes; 117 are rescued while the death toll is 29.United Press International December 27, 1980 Philippine Boat Death Toll At 29 https://books.google.com/books?id=ooUqAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA2&dq=philippine+death&article_id=2618,3629516&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjui43uk4WTAxWyka8BHUxzBqYQ6AF6BAgJEAM#v=onepage&q=philippine%20death&f=false The Pittsburgh Press Pittsburgh February 28, 2026 A-3 Google Books Holidays Public holidays in the Philippines Letter of Instruction No. 814, issued by President Marcos in 1979 that provided guidelines for observation of holidays, remained in effectGuidelines for Observation of Special Holidays and a Calendar of Special Holidays for 1979 LOI 814 February 15, 1979 https://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocs/34/13770 February 21, 2026 until being repealed by Letter of Instruction No. 1087, issued on November 26, providing revised guidelines for these observances.Revised Guidelines for the Observance of Special and Legal Holidays LOI 1087 November 26, 1980 https://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocs/34/26560 February 21, 2026 Compared to the previous one, the new letter strictly mandated that when a legal holiday fell on a Sunday, only a proclamation was required to declare the following Monday a special public holiday. Moreover, this was the first time December 31 was designated the Last Day of the Year starting that year. Meanwhile, in early April, President Marcos signed a proclamation declaring May 6 as Araw ng Kagitingan; consolidating the celebration of the Fall of Bataan, Fall of Corregidor and Battle of Bessang Pass; and designating April 9 a regular working day.Declaring Tuesday, May 6, 1980 as "Araw ng Kagitingan." PP 1960 April 2, 1980 https://lawphil.net/executive/proc/proc1980/proc_1960_1980.html February 25, 2026 A month later, May 6 was declared a special public holiday.Declaring May 6, 1980, as a special public holiday PP 1964 May 3, 1980 https://lawphil.net/executive/proc/proc1980/proc_1964_1980.html February 25, 2026 The designation of April 9 of that year as Bataan Day would be the last, as it was then moved to May 6, which then became a legal public holiday effective in 1981. Legal public holidays January 1 – New Year's Day April 3 – Maundy Thursday April 4 – Good Friday April 9 – Bataan Day (later declared a regular working day) May 1 – Labor Day June 12 – Independence Day July 4 – Filipino-American Friendship Day August 31 – National Heroes Day November 30 – Bonifacio Day December 25 – Christmas Day December 30 – Rizal Day Nationwide special holidays January 29–31 – additional holidays in line with the nationwide local elections on January 30Declaring Jan. 29–31, 1980 as special public holidays PP 1940 January 23, 1980 https://lawphil.net/executive/proc/proc1980/proc_1940_1980.html February 25, 2026 April 5 – Holy SaturdayDeclaring Apr. 5, 1980, as a special public holiday PP 1958 April 1, 1980 https://lawphil.net/executive/proc/proc1980/proc_1958_1980.html February 25, 2026 May 6 – Araw ng Kagitingan September 11 – Barangay Day September 22 – in line with the Thanksgiving Day as September 21 fell on a SundayDeclaring Sept. 22, 1980, as a special public holiday PP 2009 September 16, 1980 https://lawphil.net/executive/proc/proc1980/proc_2009_1980.html February 25, 2026 October 31 – additional holidayDeclaring Oct. 31, 1980, as a special public holiday PP 2025 October 29, 1980 https://lawphil.net/executive/proc/proc1980/proc_2025_1980.html February 25, 2026 November 1 – All Saints Day December 26–27 – additional holidaysDeclaring Dec. 26 & 27, 1980, as special public holidays PP 2043 December 17, 1980 https://lawphil.net/executive/proc/proc1980/proc_2043_1980.html February 25, 2026 December 31 – Last Day of the Year Entertainment and culture For the events related to Philippine television in 1980, see 1980 in Philippine television. Unknown October - The religious show Ang Dating Daan starts its radio broadcast through DWWA.Brodkast https://www.angdatingdaan.org/brodkast/ live April 6, 2021 Ang Dating Daan https://web.archive.org/web/20200811034233/https://www.angdatingdaan.org/brodkast/ August 11, 2020 Births January January 15 – Sam Oh, TV host and radio DJ January 16 – Drew Arellano, TV host and actor January 20 – Jaybee Sebastian, high profile inmate at New Bilibid Prison (d. 2020) January 25 – Nikki Valdez, actress and singer February February 7 – Adrian Alandy, actor February 8 – Jenny Miller, Canadian-Filipino actress February 16 – Mark Lapid, actor and politician March March 1 – Cassandra Ponti, actress, dancer, and model March 3 – Christian Coronel, basketball player March 7 – Froilan Baguion, basketball player March 11 – Yancy de Ocampo, basketball player April April 23 – Bobby Pacquiao, boxer and politician April 27 – Jason Gainza, actor and comedian May May 13 – Mau Marcelo, singer May 20 – Hayden Kho, cosmetic surgeon and entrepreneur May 29 – Migui Moreno, actor, musician, TV commercial and Member of Idolzone June June 1 – Ryan Luis Singson, politician June 16 – Philip Butel, basketball player June 24 - Wacky Kiray, actor, host and comedian July July 2 – Ciara Sotto, actress and singer July 6 – JB Magsaysay, actor, businessman and politician July 24 – Cheska Garcia, actress and model August August 2 – Dingdong Dantes, actor August 9 – Kristopher Peralta, actor August 17 – Tootsie Guevara, singer August 19 – Cyrus Baguio. basketball player September September 16 – Kitchie Nadal singer, songwriter October October 1 – Phoemela Baranda, television personality October 6 – Larijean Moreno, actress October 11 – Justin Cuyugan, actor October 17 – Don Dulay, basketball player October 30 – Rich Alvarez, basketball player and coach November November 1 – Nina, singer November 10 – Mike Cortez, basketball player November 27 – Dan Campilan, television journalist (d. 2006) December December 2 – Thor, singer Deaths January 26 – Cecilio Putong, educator, writer, and author (b. 1891) February 24 – Jorge B. Vargas, lawyer and diplomat (b. 1890) December 12 – Severino Montano, actor, director and playwright (b. 1915) December 16 – Jose B. Lingad, lawyer and politician who served as governor and congressman from Pampanga (b. 1914) References 1980