Arroyo proclaims martial law in Maguindanao
(source:abs-cbnNEWS.com)
MANILA (10th UPDATE) - President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo officially declared martial law in the province of Maguindanao on Saturday morning.
In a press conference past 7 a.m, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita announced Proclamation No. 1959 declaring a state of martial law and suspending the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in the province of Maguindanao, except for certain areas identified as bailiwicks of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) separatists.
The declaration of martial law will lead to the arrests without warrants of other members of the Ampatuan family who have been linked to the November 23 massacre of 57 innocent civilians. The carnage drew both local and international condemnation.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Victor Ibrado announced that joint police and military teams have taken into custody Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr. and his son, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan.
Ibrado said Ampatuan Sr. was brought to a hospital in Davao City, while the ARMM governor was brought to General Santos City.
As of posting, Maguindanao Vice Governor Akmad Ampatuan Sr. and Shariff Aguak Anwar Ampatuan have also been taken into custody.
Abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak reported early Friday evening that President Arroyo had ordered a state of martial law in Maguindanao, which would take effect on Saturday.
Military, police take control
Security forces on Saturday took full control of the province of Maguindanao following President Arroyo's order placing the province under martial law.
"Based on Proclamation 1959, we are here to formally take over the provincial capitol. By this time, all municipal halls have been secured by the armed forces and police forces in order to ensure that these facilities will be secure," Lt. Gen. Raymundo Ferrer, chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Eastern Mindanao Command, announced at a press conference hours after the martial law declaration.
Ferrer said he has been ordered to temporarily take charge of the whole province until Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Ronaldo Puno and government agencies "come up with a new set up for the local government."
He said local government functions have also been suspended indefinitely.
Ferrer said military and police forces have started conducting warrantless arrests of personalities involved in the massacre of 57 innocent civilians, including 30 journalists, in Ampatuan town last November 23.
He said warrantless searches were also being conducted in residences of politicians, mostly members of the powerful political clan of the Ampatuans.#
----Nobody knows for sure, the intent of the government on declaring martial rule in Maguindanao. It might be to cover up or clean up the "mess" that the Ampatuan's (an ally of the Arroyo's)has done for the senseless massacre of 59 people inclusive of the media. On the other hand, if and if, the contention of the military is that they are finding difficulty on implementing the rule of law in Maguindanao due to the presence of "heavy armed men" in the vicinity of the Ampatuans' residence and other government institution thereby depriving the authorities of there investigative work, this matter remains to be seen. However, Juan de la Cruz should be alert and should be on guard because, past experiences have made us wary of the present administration's plan that works only on her benefit. Arroyo has mastered the act of corruption and she has done it in connivance with the people around her including the military. We should be vigilant at all times, because the pangs of corruption and deceit is ready to take its toll. We should be alert and beware of the evil plan of the Arroyo and his cohorts to stay in power in the name of "protecting the people".
We are not sure of the answers... Is it a solution to the problem or will just make the situation more complicated?? For now, all we can do is to PRAY and HOPE for JUSTICE to prevail in our country (if there is any)...
