By: PIA Pagadian City
Malacañang today defended President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s declaration of martial law in Maguindanao citing its necessity to quell rebellion in eight municipalities in the area who are pre-positioning to wield violence and possibly attack the government forces. In a press conference, Press Secretary Cerge M. Remonde said that the President only did what she needs to do to provide justice for the victims of Maguindanao massacre that left 57 people dead including women and journalists.
“The declaration of martial law in Maguindanao is not an overreaction. It was necessary to quell rebellion that was designed to protect the suspects in the horrible Maguindanao massacre. This is necessary to give justice to the victims of the massacre,” Remonde said. He noted that martial law will be implemented for a relative time only to give way to the government authorities to apprehend the suspects and seize loose firearms in Maguindanao.
The declaration of martial law, he stressed, is also meant to secure the safety of the witnesses and uphold press freedom. Remonde said that President Arroyo was determined to solve the massacre in Maguindanao when she personally visited the families of the victims of the horrible crime.
“However, this will not distract the President on her other duties and on what she needs to do,” he added. According to Remonde the implementation of martial law in Maguindanao is also aimed to give justice to the victims and serve as a reminder that the government will not tolerate rebellion in any part of the country.
Also present during the press conference are Philippine National Police (PNP) General Andy Caro, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Brigadier General Gaudencio Pangilinan, and AFP Information Chief Lieutenant Colonel Romeo Brawner. Caro explained that prior to the declaration of martial law, there were private armies massing in eight municipalities ready to rebel against the government forces.
“We will do everything necessary to bring back peace and security in Maguindanao. The implementation of martial law gave us the chance to go after the suspects who are part of the rebellion and possible suspects of massacre,” Caro added. He noted that just this morning, the joint forces of the PNP and AFP were able to seize loose firearms in different residences of the Ampatuans including improvised armored vehicles and a truck loaded with 330 boxes of ammunitions which can provide for a thousand troops.
As of 10:40 
am today, the joint forces also raided the ranch of Governor Andal Ampatuan Sr. in Datu Hoffer where they were able to seize 11 M-14, 13 M-16, one carbine, one AK-47, one grenade launcher, five ultimax rifles, two M-60, one caliber 50 machine gun, one caliber 30, 3 grand riffles, nine assorted ammunitions and one barrel of M-60.
Caro explained that before the declaration of martial law, the AFP and PNP forces were likewise having a hard time securing search warrants because the judges in Cotabato went on mass leave. When the government forces brought the problem to the Supreme Court, a judge was assigned to issue the arrest warrant but eventually did not cooperate afterwards for fear of his family’s safety.
The High Court then appointed another one but after giving a search warrant, the second judge did not cooperate the next day for the threats his family were receiving. Other government agencies also ceased to operate after the massacre. This, he added, prompted the President to declare martial law because the government and the justice system were no longer operating in Maguindanao.
According to Pangilinan, a total of 62 suspects have been arrested including the 15 they arrested this morning. Caro added that what the joint forces are doing in Maguindanao right now include the containment of all the provinces, going after rebel groups who are pre-positioning, and the search and seizure of loose firearms. (PIA- Pagadian City)
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