Politicians from south give mixed views on martial law
MANILA, Philippines - Six Mindanao politicians who support Proclamation 1959 imposing martial law in Maguindanao appealed on Tuesday to "people in Manila" opposed to military rule to understand the situation on the ground.
"We feel the voices of our leaders from Mindanao must be heard. We feel that the declaration of martial law is needed in such an extraordinary situation. We feel that the objectives of martial law should be made clear to everybody. Sa Mindanao, iba ang sitwasyon sa Manila," said Lakas-Kampi-CMD President and Sarangani Gov. Rene Miguel Dominguez.
"The AFP has to go in to make sure they can find everything that needs to be found without interference. They need to know who's holding what and who's with who to avoid further bloodshed. I don't believe there is any other way this could be done. We support the implementation of martial law, but hopefully, it will not last that long," said Davao Del Norte Rep. Antonio Lagdameo Jr.
Dominguez and Lagdameo were joined by Cotabato Rep. Emmylou Talino Mendoza, Davao Del Sur Rep. Marc Douglas Cagas IV, Basilan Gov. Jum Akbar, and Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan in a press conference at the House of Representatives.
The Arroyo administration says martial law was proclaimed because of the supposed presence of heavily armed groups in Maguindanao that have established positions to resist government in enforcing the law with regard to the massacre of 57 people.
The November 23 carnage, the worst election-related violence in Philippine history, resulted in the deaths of the wife of Buluan Vice Mayor Esmael Mangudadatu, his supporters, and 30 journalists who were going to covering the filing of the vice mayor's candidacy papers for Maguindanao governor in the May 2010 polls.
The six politicians from the south disagreed with fellow Mindanao Rep. Didagen Dilangalen of Maguindanao and Gabriela Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan who oppose martial law. Dilangalen, a relative of the Ampatuans, filed a petition before the Supreme Court to declare martial law unconstitutional.
House Speaker Prospero Nograles, who comes from Davao City, also filed on Monday a resolution supporting martial law in Maguindanao.
Justice for massacre victims
Basilan Gov. Jum Akbar, wife of the late Basilan Rep. Wahab Akbar, said martial law may be the only way to get justice for the massacre victims.
"Kami po ay naging biktima din po ng mga illegal activities. Hindi pa po namin nakamit ang aming hustisya. Sa paraang ito, sanay makamit ang hustisya," she said.
"Ako po ay naniniwala na ang ating presidente ay alam nila kung ano ang ikakabuti sa mga problemang ito. Sa declaration ng martial law, alam ko itong sigurado katuparan na para masagot na lahat ng problema ng probinsya ng Maguindanao," Akbar added.
"What happened in Maguindanao was beyond comprehension. Yesterday, we were discussing about allowing only the licensed firearms. This does not apply in Maguindanao. Remember, some of those who flagged down the convoy belong to the Philippine National Police," said Cotabato Rep. Emmylou Talino Mendoza.
"Coming from the ground, yes, the movements are restricted. That's because we do not wish that some of the evidence will be tampered simply because some members of the PNP and the military are involved. The situation is abnormal," Mendoza added.
"This martial law is so much different from the martial law declaration in 1972. Back in 1972, we cannot even hold press briefings. But in Maguindanao, everybody can go. There is really no restriction as far as civil liberties are concerned," said Davao Del Sur Rep. Marc Douglas Cagas IV.
Trusting the AFP
Dominguez said they have full confidence in Lt. Gen. Raymundo Ferrer to dismantle the private armies, arrest those responsible for the massacre, and to investigate government officials supplying ammunition to those outside the military and police. .
"We feel that the Armed Forces of the Philippines is the only institution that can restore law and order, rule of law, and level the playing filed to restore democracy, peace, and justice in the area. Once those objectives are met, we feel martial law will have to be lifted. We have utmost respect and confidence in our military officials on the ground today, especially in Maguindanao and Mindanao as a whole," Dominguez said.
"Civil liberties will be protected in this enforcement," Basilan Gov. Sakur Tan also assured.
Mendoza said martial law will serve as a wake up call to politicians, especially those with private armies.
"Once you do something crazy, there is always a law that will try to put you behind bars," she said.
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ampatuan's relatives
ang ayaw sa martial law eh kamag-anak at kalahi ng mga ampatuan.
In support to Wangskeet
I strongly support the views of Wangskeet. I'm from Mindanao also and most of us strongly support the declaration of ML.
Mindanao cities and provinces have extreme opposite conditions. Davao City is the most peaceful city in the Philippines. You can use your latest celphones anywhere in the city without being snatched. Smoking is banned. Bars have designated smoking areas. Firecrackers are prohibited, even during Christmas and New Year. Liquors are banned after 2 A.M.Then there's a 24 hour 911 service. Can any of the cities in Metro Manila duplicate its feat?
It's extremely opposite in Maguindanao which is at least a 4 hour away drive from Davao city. I don't need to elaborate. If you go to Davao then proceed to Maguindanao, you'll see the difference.
Can there be Swift Justice without MArtial LAw?
I’m not sure if people truly understand the position of the government in declaring martial law. People are crying for swift justice for the victims of the savage killing in maguindanao. UNfortunately, with the current justice set up that we have in this country, swift justice is practically an impossible dream. Without martial law, arresting the suspects in the savage killing would require a warrant of arrest to be issued by courts in Maguindanao. Before a warrant of arrest can be issued, there must a criminal case filed against the person sought to be arrested through the warrant, and before a criminal case can be filed against these persons, government prosecution must first establish probable cause that a crime was committed and that the person to be charged and arrested is probably guilty thereof. This is the regular criminal procedure. Now this may sound simple, but believe me folks, this is one hell of a dragging proceeding. I'll show you the complete picture. Through regular criminal case proceedings, before the fiscal (DOJ or prosecution) can establish probable cause for the filing of criminal charges against the suspects, the suspects assisted by MORE THAN 40 LAWYERS shall be given to chance to file counter -affidavit to refute the pieces of evidence against him. This is what the lawyers called preliminary investigation. SHould the prosecs find probable cause to indict the suspect, suspect may still avail of any remedy available under the law. HE may either move for reconsideration of the resolution of the prosecution, or file a petition before the SUpreme COurt. If you have no idea how long it will take for the completion of the preliminary investigation alone and filing of charges, plus resolution of numerous petitions and motions by the accused, then mind you, you are looking at not less than 1 year!!!! Lawyers for the accused are expected to file motions left and right only to delay the entire proceedings. This is not to mention of course the newly devised delaying tactic, hospitalization of the accused. Should the prosec be lucky enough to be able to file criminal charges, again you can only expect hundreds of delaying motions and maneuvers from the lawyers of the accused to prevent the issuance of warrant of arrest. I guess with this to consider, it's better to ask ourselves what's the genuine objective behind the declaration of martial law. WIll there be swift justice in the absence of martial law? Now that the entire maguindanao is placed under military rule, government can easily dismantle private armies, recover firearms and amms, preserve pieces of evidence in connection with MAguindanao killing, immediately arrest suspects to stop them from either disappearing or ending up also in mass graves, help media do their job without the threat of being killed for doing so, and most of all to avoid further bloodshed in MAguindanao from acertain retaliation fromthe Mangundadatu clan.
Mindanao Mentality
I have to strongly agree with the comments of Tedy.. People who disagree with the declaration of Martail Law in Maguindanao are mainly from Luzon, relatives of Ampatuans, and people who just want their names to be heard for the upcoming elections. while on the other hand, people who agree with the declaration are mostly people living with in Mindanao and people in their sane mind. In my honest opinion, the declaration of ML was crucial to speed up the arrest of the people allegedly involved in the massacre and search for key pieces of evidence that can link these suspected individuals.
Yes it is true that we most Filipinos are hesitant if not severely allergic with the mere though of Martial law. However we have to free ourselves from that nightmare of Marcos's ML and focus on the matter at hand. To those people who would say that declaring Martial law in Maguindanao is a mistake, I will challenge them to personally go to Maguindanao and help arrest these people. I doubt if you can even pass through the first check point leading to their houses. The situation in there is a far cry from what you can see in Manila or any part of the country. There is no Rule of law in a land where the people are under the shadows of the Ampatuans. Their influence can even be felt to the nearby provinces and cities.
From a personal experience, a few years ago there was an incident in Davao city wherein one of young ampatuans was caught in a fight leading to a shooting incident in a local bar. Yes the young person was caught. however he was treated like VIP in the cell and for some unknown reason he strut his way out the following day.
Note: I'm living in Mindanao
To andoybarrios..at sa lahat ng ayaw sa ML of 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?