MANILA -- With the martial rule now up in Maguindanao, Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (2nd district) has urged the public to be “extra” vigilant against a possible nationwide declaration of martial law.

“It is with some concern that we watch these developments in Maguindanao,” Marcos told ABS-CBN News. “Bakit ngayon nag-deklara ng martial law na tapos na ang gulo?”

Marcos said Malacañang might be planning to protect President Arroyo from the “scandals” that have rocked the government under her term.

“Baka ‘Hello, Garci’ na naman ang iniisip ni GMA (Mrs. Arroyo) at ang mga kandidato niya. Kailangan bantayan ng mabuti kung saan gagamitin ‘yong pag martial law,” he said.

Ironically, Marcos’ name has been consistently being connected to martial law. He is the son of namesake and former strongman Ferdinand Marcos, who placed the Philippines under martial rule in the ‘70s.

The younger Marcos said what his father did is already part of history, adding that the situation in the ‘70s was much different compared to present time.

The congressman said his father had to quell the growing insurgency problem back then, therefore, justifying the need for martial law.

Marcos also said it is high time for Mrs. Arroyo to step down from her post now that she has declared her intention to run for Congress.

Meanwhile, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile defended the Palace's decision to declare martial law in Maguindanao.

"On the face of the proclamation, there seems to be a basis for it. Now, we have to presume that the President acted on facts known to her and initially we should not question the wisdom of her action," he said in a statement. "She is the one authorized by the constitution to exercise these powers on the basis of fact known to her."

Mrs. Arroyo officially declared martial law in the province of Maguindanao on Saturday morning in relation to the November 23 massacre of 57 innocent civilians in the province.

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 led to the arrests of Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr. and his son, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan.

The governor's son, Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., is currently detained at the National Bureau of Investigation in Manila. He has been charged in connection to the Maguindanao massacre.

A total of 32 people were taken into custody during Saturday's raids, including 20 militiamen who were found in a warehouse belonging to Ampatuan Jr. that contained 340,000 rounds of ammunition for M16 assault rifles. -With a report from Agence France-Presse