Press Secretary Remonde denies martial law imposed in Maguindanao

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde has denied reports that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo had imposed martial law in Maguindanao, amid a rapid military buildup and raids on suspected warlord armories after the province's powerful Ampatuan ruling clan was implicated in a gruesome massacre, GMA News' Saksi reported early Saturday. Online news site ABS-CBN.com reported late Friday that President Arroyo had issued an order for the imposition of martial law in the province and that Armed Forces Eastern Mindanao commander, Lt. Gen. Raymundo Ferrer, would function as military governor while Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan Sr. will be arrested. The report, however, did not identify its sources.

For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV Information about the reported imposition of martial law in Maguindanao was spread thru text messages Friday evening. The message read, "This from usually reliable insider, martial law to be declared in Maguindanao tomorrow. Lt. Gen. Ferrer will be Military Governor. Ampatuans expected to be arrested." But in an interview with GMANews.TV Friday night, presidential adviser on Mindanao affairs Jesus Dureza said he had no information about the matter. Meanwhile, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner told GMANews.TV in another interview Friday night that there was no need for martial law at this time. 'We are on top of the situation' Brawner also emphasized last November 30 that there was no need for martial law, in response to a lawmaker’s call to put Maguindanao under martial law following the massacre in Ampatuan town. [See: AFP: No need for martial law in Maguindanao] The AFP spokesman had said, "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." 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. Last November 22, Quezon City Rep. Matias Defensor had called on Mrs. 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. 'Martial law is not practical' But the QC lawmaker's proposal was quickly shot down by House Speaker Prospero Nograles, who said 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. - ARCS/JV, GMANews.TV