Martial law administrator asks public to stay calm

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Armed Forces Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) chief Lt. Gen. Raymundo Ferrer yesterday assuaged fears that the imposition of martial law in Maguindanao will lead to abuse of military power. 

“I advise you to stay put and be calm or go about your daily chores,” said Ferrer, military administrator of martial rule in the province.

The Eastmincom chief said the martial rule imposed in Maguindanao is different from what was imposed by the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos in 1972.

“The way martial law was imposed before is different from this one, we are not as brutal as before because we know the basic rights of the citizens,” he said.

Ferrer said there will be no illegal searches and arrests.

“The military administering the rule of martial law in Maguindanao assures everyone that there shall be no indiscriminate searches and arrests and only those having to do with the massacre will be arrested and their houses searched,” he said.

Several quarters have opposed the imposition of martial law in Maguindanao, saying it has no legal basis and would set a bad precedent. 

Ferrer also assured the people of Maguindanao that he would not tolerate military abuses.

“Should our soldiers commit abuses, they will be relieved, investigated and punished. I will not tolerate abuses,” he said.

After Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. was implicated as the mastermind of the massacre, joint military and police operatives have been raiding the properties of the Ampatuan clan.

Ampatuan patriarch Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr., Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan, and seven other members of the powerful clan have also been arrested for their alleged involvement in the massacre. 

Ferrer said the military is also negotiating for the surrender of hundreds of civilian volunteer organizations (CVO) members who are suspected of being among the 100 armed men who held up the convoy of 57 civilians on Nov. 23.

Ferrer said placing Maguindanao under martial rule has fast-tracked the work of the military especially in the recovery of high-powered firearms.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) have come up with joint rules of conduct to be observed by operating units and personnel in conducting law enforcement and peace-keeping operations in Maguindanao.

PNP spokesperson Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina said the Joint General Norms of Conduct of Police and Military Officers in the Field was based on the Police Operational Procedures of the PNP and Rules of Engagement of the AFP. 

The rules of conduct specifically state that due process will be followed at all times to protect individual rights.

Operations must also be conducted with minimal damage to lives and property.

Under the rules, police operations must be conducted using a marked police vehicle by police officers in proper uniform.

Meantime, because of the heavy presence of police and military in the province, a fragile peace is now felt in Ampatuan stronghold Shariff Aguak.

Town residents said they want martial rule in the province to stay until the end of the next year’s elections. – With Cecille Suerte Felipe, James Mananghaya, John Unson