(UPDATE) Arroyo: Armed political uprising exists in Maguindanao
MANILA - President Arroyo on Sunday evening sent her written report to Congress on her declaration of martial law in Maguindanao last Friday as required by the Philippine Constitution.
Press Secretary Cerge Remonde confirmed the presidential action in a text message to media.
“In compliance with the Constitution, the President has submitted her report to Congress. She personally rendered the report to congressional leaders starting at 8:30 p.m.,” said Remonde.
Section 18 of Article VII of the Constitution requires the president, within 48 hours from the proclamation of martial law or the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus, to submit a report in person or in writing to the Congress.
The press secretary told ANC’s The World Tonight that the 20-page report signed by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita was received by the secretary-general of the lower House before 8:58 p.m., and the secretary-general of the Senate at 9:11 p.m. 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.
When asked if it was proper that the report was given several minutes after the 48-hour period lapsed, Remonde said: “Well, I suppose they can make allowance for 11-minute discrepancy.” The declaration was signed 9 p.m. December 4 but formally announced early Saturday morning.
Remonde said the report contains the justification of the declaration of martial law in Maguindanao.
Remonde also said the report would “satisfy all questions, all doubts about the necessity of declaring martial law.”
Meanwhile, House Speaker Prospero Nograles Jr. also said that he arrived at Malacañang to get the report from President Arroyo on Proclamation No. 1959 which declared martial law in Maguindanao province.
“Existence of armed political uprising”
President’s Arroyo’s report to Congress, a copy of which was obtained by ABS-CBN News, pointed to the “existence of armed public uprising” as the basis for the martial rule declaration and the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in Maguindanao. (Read: Full text of President Arroyo's report to Congress)
The report provided a short narration of the events of the massacre in Ampatuan town including pictures and descriptions of the bodies recovered, apparently from autopsy reports.
It also cited the initial steps taken by authorities including the declaration of a state of emergency in Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat and Cotabato City.
The report said that the arrest of Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. “would have resulted in the expeditious apprehension and prosecution of all others involved in the gruesome massacre.” The report said, however, that the “situation proved contrary.”
Ampatuan Jr. has been tagged as the leader of the 100 armed men who stopped a convoy of a rival political clan. The 57 bodies of members of the Mangudadatu clan, as well as that of lawyers and journalists who accompanied them in the convoy for a supposed filing of a certificate of candidacy in Shariff Aguak town, were later found by soldiers.
“The Ampatuan group backed by formidable group of armed followers, have since used their strength and political position to deprive the Chief Executive of her power to enforce the law and to maintain public order and safety,” said the report to Congress.
The report said that the Ampatuans were “behind the closing down of government offices, the refusal of local officials to discharge their functions and the simultaneous absence or non-appearance of judges in local courts.” It said that it came from “duly verified information.”
“Group of rebels”
In the report, the Ampatuans were described to have “consolidated a group of rebels consisting of 2,413 heavily armed men, with 1,160 of then having been strategically deployed in Mindanao.”
Detailed descriptions were given of 8 armed groups ranging from 50 to 500 strong, most of which were described as having been “moved to offensive positions.”
The groups were reported to be armed with 2 “Sanguko” armored vehicles, light machine guns, recoilless rifles or bazookas and mortars among others.
The “rebels” are reportedly concentrated in 16 towns of Maguindanao which, the report said, are apparently the political stronghold of the Ampatuans.
One group was described to be led by a former commander of the Moro National Liberation Front.
The president’s report to Congress also cited that the recovery of firearms from 400 security escorts of former Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan Sr. and the recent discoveries of large caches of firearms and ammunitions highlighted the “existence of this armed rebellion.”
The report said that while the “ongoing rebellion” is being addressed by “conducting legitimate operations” it said that “public safety still requires the continued implementation of martial law and the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in the Province of Maguindanao … until that such rebellion is completely quelled.”
“Right thing”
Remonde said he hoped that Congress would receive the report positively.
“The president did the right thing in this particular issue. We just hope that Congress would do the right thing too,” said Remonde.
Congress, voting jointly and by a vote of at least a majority of all its members, may revoke the martial law proclamation or suspension of the privilege of writ of habeas corpus.
The Constitution says that a revocation by Congress “shall not be set aside by the President.”
Showdown
This early, however, a showdown between allies and critics of President Arroyo looms during the joint session of Congress scheduledon Tuesday.
Both sides are already preparing resolution for and against the measure.
On Monday, members of both chambers are expected to conduct separate caucuses to prepare for the joint session on Tuesday afternoon.
They are expected to scrutinize the President's written basis for her proclamation. With reports from RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News
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Ginoong Teddy Cubillan
Sana nga ay maging impartial ang mga nagpapatupad ng batas pero hindi ako optimistic dahil sa parte ng DOJ ay nandiyan si Devanadera na bias na bias. Well, let's just hope for the best thing to come out from all of these...
Peace!
To Mr. andoybarrios....
Yep absolutely all the possibility is right there and all of us know how desperate Mrs. Arroyo is? Especially hawak siya SA leeg ng mga Ampatuans because of election related massive cheating in favor to her and her administration pero Sana naman po magdasal nalang tayo Na gabayan ang ating mga Imbestigador at mga tagapagpatupad ng batas na hindi sila magpagamit SA administrasyong Arroyo. Peace!
Ginoong Teddy Cubillan
I know where you coming from. I admire yung pagiging patriotic mo and I remember when I was a student back in the 70's. BS Management din ako sa UE and took computer courses in the Phils. Saudi and here in North America. I was a student back then and like you and I was curious and became involved in politics and eventually became an activist. So, sa simula pa lang itong mga nangyayari ngayon ay nangyari na noon. A history repeat itself. My desire to help our country never fades even here in North America there are groups that closely follows the situation in the Philippines. Now, let's talk about the law. Hindi naman din ako naniniwala na ang batas sa atin ay patas dahil sa mga karanasan at nakikita ko pa na ang batas ay para lang sa mahirap na walang kakayanan lumaban. At ang mga nakaupo, karamihan sa mga politiko, sa sangay ng gobyerno at sa mga sangay ng hukuman natin ay nababahiran pa rin (pa rin kasi dati na yan) ng korapsyon. Sana nga ay hindi magamit ng mga Ampatuans ang Martial Law para mapagaan ang kanilang mga kaso. Paano kung mag guilty plea ang mga Ampatuans sa rebelyon na kinaso sa kanila at sabihin na ang masaker ay bahagi ng rebelyon at ang mga armas na nakuha ay paghahanda sa gagawin nilang rebelyon? Hindi ba pag nag self confession na ang suspect ay yun ang paniniwalaan ng hukom? Dahil ang
rebelyon ay political crime at ang multiple murder under Martial Law ay under rebelyon case. Ito lang ang scenario na sana ay hindi mangyari pero kung ia-analyze mo ang sinabi ni Lorelei Fajardo ay nakakapag-isip:
"The words of Presidential Deputy Spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo still rings loud: The President would never abandon the Ampatuans just because they were implicated in the mass murders."
Sana nga ay hindi totoo. God save the Philippines!
Refresh
Aaaaaaaaaaah! What a wonderful and beautiful morning when I wake up seeing the whole city was blunketed by snow. It is the first snow storm of the season and it really helps uplift the spirit of Christmas. Ang speaking of Christmas, we Pinoys are very spiritual and feeling more closeness to our loved ones. This beautiful sight this morning had given me an opportunity to reflect and at the same time draw self criticism where I criticize myself for any negative things that I've said or done. And this is what my conscience dictates:
To anyone that I have offended, I owe you an apology. I shouldn't have
responded to name calling with name calling and belittling. Degrading or belittling anyone is not my nature and not my forte. I always respect anyone's opinion and never engage in name calling and personal attacks if we disagree with certain issues. I will not impose my opinion on anyone whose opinion is different from mine. I will still post my comments on issues that I might find interesting and will engage to any healthy discussions. I will not stoop down to that level of name calling, personal attacks, trash talks and any profanities. Let's be civilized in posting and/or responding to comments and be respectful of others. Besides, we all
want a better Philippines and honest politicians. Let's make it happen by setting a good example that despite our differences in our opinions, we are one in our dream to make Philippines a better place to live for all Filipinos. Despite my long absence (OFW in KSU for 8 years and now North America for 20 years), I still call the Philippines my home. Being OFW is not a joke and it's hard for both OFW and his/her family.
Well, I don't know about you guys but it feels Christmas here already.
Actually, I started my countdown since September and the time went by
just like that. So, Have a safe Holiday Season and Peace.
To Mang andoybarrios.....
To end our discussion I am glad to hear something from you: personally I am not mad at you but of what you said: My sentiments are plain and simple: The reality of what is happening out there and the solutions of the problem even it is a big risk for us: The legality is behind everything right there and the Law of the Land must be applied to restored peace even if it is under Martial rule. 1987 constitution is crystally stated that the protection and observation of human rights is at stake and must be prior at all cost. Please stop criticizing people that working out there for justice but please all of us must pray once and for all:
Manong andoy I am sad to say you sorry for saying something if it looks disrespect at your aged. I think you seems like as father of us being a young man but I hope you understand us in one way or another, maybe I am not that the perfect one to argue with you but I hope you can really just imagine that sometimes people were crazy to fight for freedom and justice once and for all as an ordinary citizen. Maybe I am not a master of law because I am a master of business administration but my mind is widely open for the present situation of our country. I am not a pro-admin or an opposition but my position is to take and care of my fellow citizen even I am here in abroad; I am not going to interact the issue but to act of the solution to the problem. I am totally respect your personal views regarding laws by the book but I hope you realize of what the reality is: Mang Andoy sana po ay huwag mong kalimutan na sa totoong sugal ng ating buhay ay maraming mga bagay na tama na pilit nating ginawang baluktot para sa ikabubuti at kapakanan ng madla, at maraming mga bagay na mali na minsan ay mas nakakabuti para sa ating buhay. Ganun pa man sabi nila ang tama ay tama at ang mali ay mali? Pero ang totoo niyan tama si Kuya Kim na ang Buhay ay Weather Weather Lang. Peace!
To andoybarrios....
Bro, first and foremost i am not interested kung sino ka kung ano ang alam mo at saang lopalop ka ng mundo ngayon? but i am very interested sa mga pinagsasabi mo? Oo tama ka kapag pag-usapan natin ang batas at constitution na sinasabi mong marunong ka may punto ka naman eh kahit esama mo pa si Bernas sa debate natin... pero ang punto ko dito ay ang solution sa krimen at ang present situation ng Mindanao gets? Alam mo bro sa buhay hindi gaano ka importante ang puro tapang lang at maging bayani ka? hindi lahat na alam mong batas ay magagamit sa lahat na sitwasyon? sa buhay tanggapin natin at unawain na ang batas na ginawa natin ay maraming butas? butas para sa mga taong makapanghyarihan, mapagsamantala, mapagkunwari, at sa mga may pera tama? ang batas ng tao ay ginawa ng tao at pinatupad ng tao tama? ngayon tanong ko sayo kung ikaw ba ay isang biktima ng krimen ay ano ang pinaka una mong isigaw diba katarungan? ngayon hindi lang pwede puro sigaw kundi kailangan may gawa tama? ngayon kapag gumagawa ka kailngan natin yong sinasabi nating due process base sa saligang batas? tama? ngayong tanong ko ulit kapag pumunta ka ngayon sa maguindanao paano mo magawa ang gusto mo kung sarado lahat na justice system that covered on that area tama? paano ka kukuha ng search warrant kung walang mag approved nito? paano ka makakuha ng sapat na ebedensya kung wala kang karapatang maghanap at documento para nito? tama? kaya sabi ko sayo beyond legalities and incompetence issue the government forces recommend the ML to Mrs. Arroyo so that she can make any extra moved to captured, neutralized Maguindanao province, by search and arrest w/out warrant to possible suspect for speedy trial? tama? ngayon behind legalities of ML there is technicalities of the case in connection to the murder case right? pero ang technicalities na yan ay hindi pa nman nangyari at puro especulation lang ng mga Anti Arroyo, but to tell you that is possible but it depend on how this evidence be presented and credible before the court tama?...ibig sabihin lahat na sinabi niyo puro especulation pero lahat na nangyari ngayon ay yon ang totoo at realidad korek? to tell you again and to make it clear for you Bernas is using words: <...Bernas said that if the Maguindanao massacre cases become connected to the rebellion charges, which was the basis for the declaration of martial law in parts of the province, the murder case will be absorbed by the heavier rebellion case..>
Bro, naintindihan mo ba ang English words na to? There is word IF and word WILL BE?,,,,,it means depende pa yan kung ano ang mangyari? at sabihin ko sayo yan ay hindi mangyari dahil ang mga Amaptuan ay makasuhan sila ng Murder separate of Rebellion gets? not Rebellion complex with murder gets?... dahil nauna ang Murder bago ang Rebellion Case? in which it so discovered after Mass murder? maaari na ang ibang Ampatuan maliban kay Andal JR. ay ma focus ang kaso nila doon sa REbellion kung iyon lang kaya ng Ebedensya natin para sa kanila pero kapag merong mga sapat na ebedensya laban sa ibang Ampatuan even if this is confiscated beyond ML it is still can be used in addition to the credible testimony of the witnesses?.....
Peace!
Martial Law
Teddy Cubillan, Sa palagay mo maniniwala at makukumbinsi ako sa argumento mo tungkol sa deklarasyon ng Martial Law as opposed dun sa mga sinasabi ng mga legal experts at constitutionalists? Ano ang alam mo sa batas, sa saligang batas?. Basahin mo itong sinabi ni Fr. Bernas na matagal ng nagtuturo sa Ateneo ng law?
'Separate rebellion, murder charges'
Meanwhile, constitutional law expert and Ateneo Law School dean emeritus Fr. Joaquin Bernas said that the government has a big job ahead in proving that the murder cases against Ampatuan Jr. are not connected to the alleged rebellion in Maguindanao.
Bernas said that if the Maguindanao massacre cases become connected to the rebellion charges, which was the basis for the declaration of martial law in parts of the province, the murder case will be absorbed by the heavier rebellion case.
If this happens, Bernas said, even if Ampatuan Jr. becomes convicted of murder, since it is already part of a rebellion case, the President can grant him pardon after the final conviction, and he can also be granted amnesty.
Unless may argumento ka legally ay huwag ka ng magpumilit na tama ang pagdeklara ni pandak. We both want justice sa mga biktima ng masaker pero kung sampal lang sa kamay ang matitikman ng mga Ampatuans dahil sa Martial Law na ito ay against ako sa pagdeklara ng ML. Gusto mo ba talaga ng justice sa mga biktima ng masaker o baka kaibigan ka ng mga Ampatuans?
Huwag puro emotions tukmol esep esep ok?
To andoybarrios at sa lahat na against of ML in Maguindanao?
Bro, tanong ko lang sayo nakapunta ka na bah ng Mindanao? Huwag mo maipagmalaki sa amin ang utak mong bulok? At sabi mo sa ibang comments na ikaw ay isang aktibista naku at huwag mo maipagmalaki sa amin yan ang pagiging aktibista mo? saan ba kokoti ang tanda muna wala ka namang pinagtandaan? ang pagiging aktibista ay depende yon kung ano ang inyong ipinaglalaban at ito ba ay may katuturan at realidad? ang sitwasyon ngayon ay iba sa panahon niyo dati? ang mga tao ngayon lalo na yong mga kabataan ay mulat na ang mata at hindi tulad mo tulog o nakapikit sa katotohanan, tandaan mo bro ang katotohanan ay siyang magpapalaya ng tao? to tell you dati ang Martial law covered by 1935 constitution at ang ML ngayon ay malaking pagkakaiba sa dati gets? magbasa ka ulit baka lumang version yang hawak mo o diba nagbasa ka ngah hindi mo naman naintindihan dahil English o dba gusto mo tagalogin ko pa para maintindihan mo? i think na mas matanda ka sa amin at nerespeto kita sa punto na yan pero hindi ko rerespetuhin ang idea mo na bali? Manong andoy the main objectives of ML right there is a swift moved to disarmed all private armies in connection of the massacre and by then, if the weapons is positive of the ballistic test in connection to the crime this can be used to connect the suspects and totally can solved the case even if it is confiscated during ML gets? all of this is beyond probable cause depende kung gaano ka bigat ang ebedensya at gaano ka credible ang testimony ng mga witnesses. sana nman po huwag kayo maging paranoid at hipokrito sa usaping ito at isantabi niyo muna ang galit niyo kay Arroyo? Manong andoy huwag kang magmalaki sa alam mo sa batas na pinagsasabi mo just look at the actual situation right there and bring your book of knowledge and show me how to implement laws infront of the victims in the area of lawless land.
I dare you now subukan mong pumunta doon particularly in Maguindanao at magdala ka ng libro at isigaw ang batas na sinasabi mo kung may maniniwala ba sa iyo? subukan mong tumira doon under Ampatuan Law tingnan lang natin kung hindi ka iihi sa takot? Tingnan natin kung kaninong itlog ang pipiyok? Palibhasa ang galing niyong magsalita eh wala nman kayong ginawa? At am sure wala kayong magawa kundi ang mag-ingay? alam Manong andoy o brother andoy palaboy lahat naman tayo galit kay Gloria pero sa usaping ito sana nman tigilan niyo yang usaping pang politika? tinatanong niyo ang legalities ng ML dahil takot kayo sa technicalities eh hayaan niyo muna ang mga imbestigador sa kaso at maglahad ng mga ebedensiya bago kayo manghusga: eh kung wala kayong magawa para solusyunan ang Isla ng Mindanao particularly now in Maguindanao eh sana tumahimik nalang kayo? sa mga moslem territory bro doon ay minsan kinalimutan na ng mga ibang tao ang due process, some people were not after of what you said constitution, people right there were challenged on how to survived each day of living sa kahit anong paraan kaya huwag kayong magmalaki na may malasakit kayo sa mga tao doon dahil sa totoo lang Martial Law right there as of now is better than Ampatuan Law? Martial Law right now is totally different before during Marcos Regime and under 1935 Constitution. kaya ung mga kinatatakutan niyo ay possibe din yan mangyari pero dapat niyong tandaan that Mrs. Gloria Arroyo is one way ahead of us and now we need to moved on. Whenever Gloria is proven guilty of her mistakes let the law will prevail and the justice system will work for it? iyong mga sinisigaw niyo laban kay Gloria ay hindi solusyon sa Maguindanao ngayon at lalo na sa Massacre kya kung sa akala niyo magaling kayo punta kayo doon ngayon at subukan niyong manghuli ng private armies at mag imbestiga ng kaso gets?
UPRISING AND REBELLION?
IF GMA HAS ONLY CREDIBILITY THE SKEPTICS WILL NOT FLOAT THEORIES OF CONSPIRACIES ABOUT THE PROCLAMATION OF MARTIAL LAW IN MAGUINDANAO. THE FACT IS AMPATUANS ARE NOT IN ARMS. THEY ARE EVEN CALLING FOR RESPECT OF LAW AND JUSTICE. THEY ABIDE BY SIMPLE POLICE INVITATIONS. THEY LAID THE ARSENALS AND HIDING FOR SAFEKEEPING FOR GMA SUPPORT. THE TRUTH GMA PROVIDED THESE ARSENALS AND CVOS. WHAT IS THE REAL AGENDA MADAM GMA? WHAT ARE THESE STAGE MANAGE MEDIA PRODUCTION? BRAVO TO DND GONZALES AND YOUR CMDR GEN. FERRER. ANAYWAY YOU ALREADY EXPELLED THE AMPATUANS FROM YOUR PARTY. THE SHOW SHOULD BE LIKED THE BOMBMINGS STAGED BY THEN DND ENRILE AT CIRCA MARCOS. SACRIFICE THE AMPATUANS IN THESE BOMBINGS THEY ARE EXPENDABLE. WHAT THE HECK? 4 THOUSANDS AMPATUANS REBELS? THE MILF AND NPA CAN'T EVEN MUSTER A FORCE IN SUCH SHORT NOTICE? IF THESE MASSING OF FORCES ARE TRUE THEN WHY CAN'T THIS MARTIAL LAW FORCES OBLITERATE THEM!!!
Uprising
Gloria in case you still don't know there are armed political uprising all over the Philippines, why not declare Martial Law sa buong Pilipinas. Nandiyan ang MILF, ASG, JIL sa Mindanao at NPA sa buong Pilipinas.