Politicians, businessmen disappointed over early lifting of martial law

MANILA, Philippines - A cross section of Central Mindanao society is disappointed with the lifting of martial law in Maguindanao.

“The martial law was needed to ensure peaceful elections in Maguindanao. It should have been allowed to stay until proclamations of duly elected officials in the province are over,” said dentist Ibrahim Ibay, who is aspiring for the mayoral seat of Parang, a politically troubled town in the first district of Maguindanao.

Ibay, former speaker of the 24-seat Regional Assembly in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, said martial law in Maguindanao during the campaign period will deter the movements of armed followers of politicians known for maintaining arsenals of military-type weapons to perpetuate themselves in power.

In a random survey, 19 out of 21 Chinese businessmen in Cotabato City agreed martial law was necessary to restore normalcy in the city and surrounding towns in Maguindanao.

“Not one of us, businessmen in Cotabato City, received any extortion letter from extortionists during the period when martial was being enforced in Maguindanao. It goes to show that extortionists preying on us are from Maguindanao,” a Chinese trader told The STAR.

Ustadz Amerkhan, a Maranaw preacher, said the weeklong martial law in Maguindanao prevented officials identified with the Ampatuan clan from moving around with no less than 20 heavily armed bodyguards each.

“Maganda na sana ang epekto, pinawalang bisa naman agad, sayang (It was a good deterrent, too bad it was short-lived),” seconded rice trader Samsudin Gubar, an ethnic Maguindanaon.

A principal of a public school in Maguindanao said so effective was martial law that mayors in four towns far from Shariff Aguak  voluntarily turned over the firearms of their local civilian volunteers even if they were not implicated in the Nov. 23 slaughter of 57 people in Barangay Salman in Ampatuan town.

The Army’s 6th Infantry Division deployed last Saturday more soldiers in the towns of Buluan, Datu Piang, Talayan and Rajah Buayan to forestall a possible security vacuum after militiamen surrendered dozens of firearms.

Gen. Anthony Alcantara, 6th ID commander, said Civilian Volunteers Organizations in Datu Piang, Rajah Buayan Buluan and Talayan turned over their firearms to the military to show their readiness to cooperate with the government’s effort to disband armed groups in Maguindanao.

Most members of the media community in central Mindanao also favored the enforcement of martial law in Maguindanao.

“There was tranquility in Maguindanao and Cotabato City at the time when there was martial law in Maguindanao,” a radio reporter said.

Few crime incidents in the city’s 37 barangays took place while Maguindanao was under martial law, according to Senior Superintendent Willie Dangane, Cotabato City police director.

Erap: Martial law achieved purpose

Former President Joseph Estrada said yesterday martial law has achieved its purpose in Maguindanao.

“Since arrests have already been made and charges filed against the suspects in the massacre, it is clear that the government has already achieved its purpose in declaring martial law and it is high time that they lift it,” he said.

Estrada congratulated the government on the arrest of the Ampatuans and other suspects in the Maguindanao massacre.

“I congratulate Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales for the swift action and speedy arrest of those who may have been involved in this horrendous massacre,” he said.

Estrada also commended the media, lawmakers and business groups who had opposed martial law.

Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, Estrada’s vice-presidential running mate said the lifting of martial law was a “face saving move” for Malacañang.”

“They failed to present credible evidence of a rebellion,” he said.

“They failed to convince even some of their allies in Congress that the factual and constitutional bases for the declaration were present.

“So rather than risk a rejection in Congress and later in the Supreme Court, Malacañang opted to cut its losses.”

Bishop: Fight for justice

A Catholic Church leader urged the public to continue to press for justice for the 57 victims of the Maguindanao massacre.

Speaking over Catholic Church-run Radio Veritas, Tandag, Surigao del Sur Bishop Nereo Odchimar, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines president, said the objectives of martial law have already been achieved.

“It is a kind of relief because it has been my position that martial law should not be unnecessarily prolonged,” he said.

“It is an indication that the objectives of martial law have been already attained. It is a welcome happening that martial law has been already lifted.”

Jaro, Iloilo Archbishop Angel Lagdamaeo, former CBCP president, said the government must re-focus in bringing justice to the 57 victims of the Maguindanao massacre.

“The case of massacre of 57 must continue as these are crimes against the victims and their families,” he said.

However, Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Quevedo said martial law is the only possible solution to ending the decades-long violence in Maguindanao.

“What do I see as a possible solution?” he asked in his blog.

“Even now sentiments are strong in central and southern Mindanao that elections for local offices in Maguindanao should be deferred.

“Or at least the term of martial law should be extended till after the elections.”

Joker: Martial law overshadowed massacre

Sen. Joker Arroyo said yesterday imposition of martial law had overshadowed the call for justice for the 57 victims of the Maguindanao massacre.

“This is the poison of this martial law, everybody now is thinking of martial law,” he said.

Senator Arroyo said martial law under Proclamation 1959 did not give President Arroyo any additional powers except for warrantless arrests.

“Except for expressions of sympathy, the ghastly murder of the 57 had been drowned out by the martial law issue,” he said.

“That shouldn’t be the case. In the 14 years of Marcos martial law, there were gruesome violations, but nothing equals the savagery with which the 57 were exterminated,” he said.

Senator Arroyo said government efforts should be shifted back to making those responsible for the massacre and human indignities pay for their inhumanity. 

“Post martial law speculations must be put aside and give way to thoroughgoing efforts to bring to justice the perpetrators and conspirators behind this dastardly crime,” he said.

Senator Arroyo said martial law neutralized the Ampatuans after they were placed under government custody and charges were filed against them.

“Nobody is reporting about 57,” he said. 

“These 57 are crying out for justice, that 57 had to be helped their families.”

Senator Arroyo said the government must attend to the victims of the massacre.

“I am more concerned about the 57 quite frankly,” he said. 

“The 57 (victims) are the cause of this. The Batch of 57, according to the government were killed by the Ampatuans. (That’s) grisly murder.”

GMA praised

DAGUPAN CITY, Philippines – Lakas Kampi-CMD senatorial bet Raul Lambino praised President Arroyo yesterday for lifting martial law in Maguindanao.

“The swift action taken by the government to quell the rebellion in Maguindanao prevented bloodshed and loss of lives… in that part of Mindanao,” he said.

Speaking at the Media Night as part of the annual city fiesta Saturday, Lambino said the declaration of martial law in Maguindanao was completely legal and with factual bases. “It is supported by the Section 18, Article VIII of 1987 Constitution and other laws of the land,” he said. —John Unson, Jose Rodel Clapano, Helen Flores, Christina Mendez, Eva Visperas, Rainier Allan Ronda, Katherine Adraneda