 Marcos, who thereafter ruled by decree, curtailed press freedom and other civil liberties, abolished Congress, controlled media establishments, and ordered the arrest of opposition leaders and militant activists, including his staunchest critics Senators Benigno Aquino Jr. and Jose W. Diokno, virtually turning the Philippines into a totalitarian dictatorship with Marcos as its Supreme Leader.Initially, the declaration of martial law was well received, given the social turmoil of the period.Crime rates decreased significantly after a curfew was implemented.