AFP: No need for martial law in Maguindanao

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has rejected a lawmaker’s call to put the province of Maguindanao under martial law following the poll-related massacre that claimed the lives of at least 57 people last November 23. "There is no need for the declaration of martial law in the area of Maguindanao or elsewhere in the country because the AFP and the Philippine National Police are on top of the situation," said AFP spokesman Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner. "We now have a level of normalcy in the province of Maguindanao primarily because of the occupation by our government forces and our law enforcement agencies of the seats of government," he added. Thousands of soldiers have been deployed in Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat provinces and in Cotabato City, after the three areas were placed under a state of emergency by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo following the Nov. 23 massacre. On Sunday, Quezon City Rep. Matias Defensor called on President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to put Maguindanao under direct military rule to avert the further escalation of violence and to hasten the arrest of those accountable for the killing. House Speaker Prospero Nograles was also not keen on declaring martial law in Maguindanao because the province is already under a state of emergency, a radio report said. 'Martial law is not practical' Radio dzBB's Denevin Macaranas quoted Nograles as saying that martial rule is not practical as it would need the approval of Congress. Nograles said such proposal is unlikely to prosper because of a lack of quorum. According to Article VII, Section 18 of the 1987 Constitution, the President as Commander-in-Chief may call out the armed forces “to prevent or suppress lawless violence, invasion or rebellion." “In case of invasion or rebellion, when the public safety requires it," the President may place “the Philippines or any part thereof under martial law" for a maximum period of 60 days. The Constitution also provides that within 48 hours from the proclamation of martial law, “the President shall submit a report in person or in writing to the Congress," which may vote to revoke or extend such proclamation. Although the Ampatuan massacre does not qualify as “invasion or rebellion," it is commonly tagged as one of the worst ever poll-related cases of mass killing in the country. Those killed in the carnage include the relatives and supporters of Buluan, Maguindanao vice mayor Ismael "Toto" Mangudadatu, and some 30 journalists. They were on their way to Shariff Aguak to file Mangudadatu's certificate of candidacy for governor when they were intercepted by some 100 armed men, allegedly led by Datu Unsay town Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. Ampatuan, who is currently detained at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), has denied involvement in the crime. The government is expected to file charges of multiple murder, kidnapping and robbery against him on Tuesday. In a related development, the AFP has deployed more than 150 soldiers each to the Ampatuan and Mangudadatu clans following the Nov. 23 massacre in order prevent any attempt by either side to cause violence, an Army regional spokesperson said Monday. Lt. Col. Jonathan Ponce, 6th Infantry Division spokesperson, said Col. Leo Ferrer, 601st Brigade officer in charge, has assigned a company of soldiers to each of the Ampatuan camp in Shariff Aguak town and Mangudadatu camp in Buluan town, both in Maguindanao province. – JV, GMANews.TV