Critics of martial law siding with Ampatuans – Palace exec
Critics of the imposition of martial law in Maguindanao province have chosen to side with the Ampatuans, whose clansmen are considered suspects in the massacre of 57 people in Ampatuan town two weeks ago, a Palace official said Friday. “The crisis in Maguindanao, for them, has become fresh fodder for their political agenda," said Press Secretary Cerge Remonde as he scored Mrs. Arroyo's detractors at a press briefing. “Are they now shedding copious tears in sympathy with Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., others in the clan, and some 160 individuals who have been arrested or are about to be arrested for planning or for participating in the gruesome massacre?" he added. League of Filipino Students national chairperson Terry Ridon, however, said, “Martial law critics are all for the complete prosecution of the Ampatuans, but never can any such crime ever justify a baseless imposition of the martial law." Ridon added that the government has yet to prove the existence of actual rebellion to justify its declaration of martial rule. Since the imposition of martial law on December 4, at least seven petitions, including from the camp of the Ampatuans, have been filed before the Supreme Court asking the tribunal to declare the imposition as unconstitutional. Several lawmakers, including 17 senators, have also expressed opposition to Proclamation 1959, saying martial rule would be prone to abuses and that there was no sufficient justification for the move. Remonde said the Ampatuan camp has reasons to question the legality of martial law because “their awesome power to defy lawful authority is slipping away, and their ability to evade criminal responsibility is in jeopardy." However, he could not see why certain politicians “have taken the side of this powerful family." The spokesman likewise reiterated that martial rule produced positive results such as apprehension of principal suspects in the massacre, dismantling of the Ampatuans’ private army, and the confiscation of the Arroyo-allied clan’s weaponry and armored vehicles. As of December 10, a total of 1,013 firearms, 581,000 rounds of ammunition, and C4 explosives have been confiscated or surrendered to authorities, Remonde said. Should the High Tribunal rule in favor of the critics, the arrest of the suspects could be nullified and the pieces of evidence against them might be rendered inadmissible, said Remonde. He added that despite the crackdown, there has not been a single complaint filed against the soldiers. He also assured that the government is looking after the rights of the victims and also of the accused. “We remain confident that Congress, after hearing the President’s Panel, will uphold the prerogative…of the President to employ all means available to her under the Constitution and the law to quell armed rebellion and suppress lawless violence," he said. “Under the prevailing circumstances in Maguindanao, I sincerely believe Congress and the Supreme Court will uphold the right of the president to declare martial law," he added. - With report from Jerrie M. Abella/JV, GMANews.TV