Bishops split over martial law in Maguindanao

Catholic bishops were split over President Gloria Arroyo’s declaration of martial law in Maguindanao, with some totally against and others approve of it with “reservations." While Cotabato Auxiliary Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo agrees with the declaration of martial law, he said he hopes there is no ulterior motive behind it. "The elements of wide-scale violence are there ... The elements of general pubic safety and imminent danger to lives are there along with the elements of terrorism," he said in an article posted Saturday afternoon on the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines news site. He added the element of civilian governance is "almost unreliable at present for justice to prevail." Catarman Bishop Emmanuel Trance said Mrs. Arroyo’s declaration is “within her authority as commander-in-chief and brought about by a given situation like that in Maguindanao." “I will disagree with it if is not warranted by the situation," he said, but added he presumes Mrs. Arroyo "made the decision with proper consultation." “(But) for us who have experienced Martial Law under Marcos, we become very wary and alarmed when such a decision is made because a martial law declaration should only be an instrument of last resort when other legal means does not work as may be deemed in the case of Maguindanao," he added. “We just trust that such declaration is only for Maguindanao and will be lifted as soon as possible and for no ulterior motive and within the constitutional limits," Trance said. Former CBCP president and Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo said he hopes the declared Martial Law in Maguindanao “will be limited to what is necessary in scope and will be very short in time and will not develop into further violence and violation of human rights." Batanes Bishop Camilo Gregorio said he found martial law over Maguindanao okay but it should be "temporary." Retired Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Archbishop Oscar Cruz criticized the declaration. Cruz said placing Maguindanao under martial law is “a big shame that the Arroyo administration has allowed its own allies to become warlords, to have a lot of firearms and to form a big private army." “Now, through the declaration of Martial Law, the administration confesses that it cannot quell or resolve the Maguindanao shenanigan by the use of standard forces and law," he said. Cruz said martial law was an “overkill, over-reaction." Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles, a former military bishop, noted there is no rebellion ongoing in Maguindanao. “There is a grievous criminal situation but which does not warrant martial law," he said. Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra similarly said he does not see any sign of rebellion. “As a matter of fact, it is strongly perceived the Ampatuans are protégés of the Arroyo government," he said. Iloilo Auxiliary Bishop Gerardo Alminaza said he is “ambivalent" but said he hopes it will not be used to suppress evidence. Fr. Victor Diolata, co-executive secretary of the Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines, said the government needs to use the full force of the law and not use martial law in Maguindanao. “There should be full protection of human rights including the writ of amparo for all the witnesses," Diolata said. - LBG, GMANews.TV