On Dec. 4, 2009, 9 pm (Last night) Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo declared Martial in the Province of Maguindanao citing that armed groups are already forming in defense of the Massacre suspects, the Ampatuan clans. Executive Eduardo Ermita announced  the official declaration this morning signed by the President herself. Various reactions from the Political circle have surfaced. Some lawmakers praised the declaration while the opposition is wary of the unconstitutionality of the said declaration. Senators have already asked for a joint congress that will convene on Monday, December 7, 2009 together with the lower house to decide on the fate of the President’s move. The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines however have mixed reactions on the said proclamation:

President Arroyo’s declaration of martial law in Maguindanao province on Saturday drew concerns from the Catholic hierarchy.

Some bishops reached by CBCPNews sought to be clarified on the “rebellion” angle cited by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita earlier as most expressed hopes it would be limited to the strife-torn region.

Cotabato Auxiliary Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo said he agrees with the declaration f the martial law “as long as its scope, terms and limits are within the Philippine Constitution of 1987.”

The 55-year old prelate said “the elements of wide-scale violence are there” which he went to describe further as “might be uncontrollable.”

According to him, “the elements of general pubic safety and imminent danger to lives are there along with the elements of terrorism.”

He said “the element of civilian governance is almost unreliable at present for justice to prevail.”

Catarman Bishop Emmanuel Trance, for his part, described Arroyo’s declaration as “a decision within her authority as commander-in-chief and brought about by a given situation like that in Maguindanao.”

“I will disagree with it if is not warranted by the situation,” he said.

The prelate also said he presumes “she made the decision with proper consultation.”

However, he added “for us who have experienced Martial Law under Marcos, we become very wary and alarmed when such a decision is made because a martial law declaration should only be an instrument of last resort when other legal means does not work as may be deemed in the case of Maguindanao.”

“We just trust that such declaration is only for Maguindanao and will be lifted as soon as possible and for no ulterior motive and within the constitutional limits,” Trance said.

Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, former president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, hopes the declared Martial Law in Maguindanao “will be limited to what is necessary in scope and will be very short in time and will not develop into further violence and violation of human rights.”

Proclamation No. 1959

Ermita announced on Saturday morning the Proclamation No. 1959, signed by President Arroyo Friday night based on the recommendations of Armed Forces Chief of Staff Victor Ibrado and Philippine National Police Chief Director General Jesus Verzosa.

It declared a state of martial law and the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in Maguindanao, site of the violent massacre of 57 persons last month, except for certain areas identified as bailiwicks of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front separatists.

Ermita said the decision put the province under military rule was due to “heavily armed groups” there who have established positions to resist government troops, “thereby depriving the executive of its powers and prerogatives to enforce the laws of the land and to maintain public order and safety.”

‘Overkill’

Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Emeritus Archbishop Oscar Cruz, meanwhile, criticized the declaration.

Placing Maguindanao under martial law, he said, is “a big shame that the Arroyo administration has allowed its own allies to become warlords, to have a lot of firearms and to form a big private army.”

“Now, through the declaration of Martial Law, the administration confesses that it cannot quell or resolve the Maguindanao shenanigan by the use of standard forces and law,” said the 75-year old prelate.

He went to describe the declaration of Martial Law as an “overkill, over-reaction.”

What rebellion?

Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles, a former Military Ordinary, said “There is no rebellion there.” He added “there is a grievous criminal situation but which does not warrant Martial Law (declaration).” He said Congress has to approve the executive decision soonest.

Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra said he doesn’t see any sign of rebellion.

“As a matter of fact, it is strongly perceived the Ampatuans are protégés of the Arroyo government,” the 70-year old prelate said.

Iloilo Auxiliary Bishop Gerardo Alminaza said he is “ambivalent’ about the declaration of Martial Law in Maguindanao due to the limited facts he has at the moment, especially if it is based on the alleged presence of rebellion.

“I just hope it is not used to suppress evidence or cover up something because it is hard to trust a leadership that has lost its credibility,” he added as he called on the faithful to pray and remain vigilant.

“Who could disagree with Governor (Andal) Ampatuan, Sr. himself who said live on television that he was ‘HAPPY’ President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo declared Martial Law in Maguindanao just so the massacre problem there linking him and his kin be resolved soonest,” Legazpi Bishop Emeritus Jose Sorra said.

Protest rally

However, Fr. Victor Diolata, co-executive secretary of the Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines said the government needs to use the full force of the law and not use Martial Law in Maguindanao.

“There should be full protection of human rights including the Writ of Amparo for all the witnesses,” Diolata said.

The ARMSP will have their “quick reaction rally” against the Martial Law declaration at Mabuhay rotunda at 5:00 P.M. today with participants donning black ribbons for the gathering and candle-lighting ceremonies.

For Batanes Bishop Camilo Gregorio, he said it is “too early to speculate what might happen later for the country “but Martial Law in Maguindanao is ok temporarily.” source: CBCP

The UP College of Law, The Commission on Human Rights, Former Representatives who drafted the 1987 constitution and political analysts are unanimous in their analysis that the imposition of Martial Law has no basis since the Constitution cited elements that can justify the Martial Law declaration. In this case, there were no Rebellion and no Invasion that happened. Therefore, Martial law is unnecessary. Many are concerned that this would become a test run for the President if in case she finally loses her seat on the congressional bid which she declared just this week prior to her proclamation.

I call on my fellow Filipinos to be vigilant and storm the heavens with Prayer that our country would be spared from another impending situation that may stifle the civil liberties and rights not only of the People in Maguindanao but also the whole country. May God help us all.