Below is a list of statements from different individuals and organizations on the declaration of martial law in Maguindanao December 7 following the killings of 57 journalists and civilians last November 23.

JOINT MEDIA STATEMENT:
NO TO MARTIAL LAW

We absolutely oppose the imposition of martial law in Maguindanao and, prospectively, anywhere else in the country.

We believe that, with the severe restrictions on freedoms it imposes, on the one hand, and the wide latitude of police, military, and official powers it allows, on the other, martial law will only compound the troubles it has been precisely intended to deal with.

Indeed, we believe that normal powers exercised by a decisive, strong-willed, and well-intentioned leadership are enough to bring the perpetrators of the November 23 massacre in Ampatuan town, Maguindanao, to justice.

History offers clear, powerful, and painful enough lessons in the deceptive promises of martial law: It has been used for repression, instead of justice.

November 23 Movement
Members:
Bulatlat.com
BusinessWorld
Center for Community Journalism and Development
Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility
College Editors Guild of the Philippines
Davao Today
Freedom Fund for Filipino Journalists
MindaNews
National Union of Journalists of the Philippines
Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Philippine Human Rights Reporting Project
Philippine Press Institute
Pinoy Weekly
People’s Journal
Southeast Asia Press Alliance
VERA Files

LOCAL CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS/INDIVIDUALS:
Alliance of Concerned Teachers
Statement on Arroyo’s declaration of martial law in Maguindanao

“The declaration of martial law and the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus are allowed by the Constitution only in cases of invasion or rebellion. Neither of these are present in Maguindanao. Arroyo’s Proclamation 1959 is therefore unjustifiable and unconstitutional. As such, it violates the civil liberties of the citizens of Maguindanao and sets the stage for more and graver human rights abuses by state security forces, already notorious internationally for their appalling track record of brutality.”

Atty. Marivic M.V.F. Leonen, Dean, UP College of Law
Martial law is not a substitute for competence

“The President should also observe an extraordinary level of transparency and accountability with this declaration. She must clearly demonstrate why martial law needs to be declared. The proclamation of Martial Law can be used as a means to gain unfair advantage in the upcoming elections or as an excuse to declare a failure of elections contrary to the people’s will.”

Atty. Theodore Te, Professor, UP College of Law
When we said never again, we meant it

“A state of martial law does not suspend the operation of the Constitution, nor supplant the functioning of the civil courts or legislative assemblies, nor authorize the conferment of jurisdiction on military courts and agencies over civilians where civil courts are able to function, nor automatically suspend the privilege of the writ.”

Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN)
Gloria has to go!

“Most legal opinions point to the absence of any legal basis for declaring martial law, yet it was done and now the military wants to extend it till the 2010 elections. If Arroyo can get away with this in Maguindanao, she can get away with it anywhere in the Philippines. We have every reason to believe that is part of the sinister plot to keep in power.”

Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines
Martial law in Maguindanao

“Martial Law, as a last resort, may be necessary only for the decisive resolution of the problems in Maguindanao I have described. Once it is no longer necessary, it must immediately cease. The shorter the time, the better. This is because of the double-edge nature of Martial Law. The longer it is exercised, the more likely it would be for human rights to be violated and for weapons to be used for evil.”

Congress of Teachers/Educators for Nationalism and Democracy - UP
Martial law in Maguindanao: A prelude to dirtier tactics

“The localization of Martial Law is an opportunistic move to fragment opposition and strengthen the regime’s military hold in strategic areas for the 2010 elections. This is a brazen scheme to stay in power through wanton abuse of lives and the Constitution. Atrocity merely arms the future for further atrocity. The Ampatuan Massacre, the declaration of Martial Law in Maguindanao and all the other unpardonable abuses of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo serve to place her in a position to inflict further abuse upon the people. It is of greatest urgency that we exact justice and end this villainous regime.”

Communist Party of the Philippines
Martial law in Maguindanao: Another turn in Arroyo’s power play

“Malacañang continues to plot and improvise more schemes to perpetuate itself in power in the face of the setbacks it has been encountering with its original plan.”

Dr. Emerlinda Roman, President, UP
Enhancing transparency, restoring trust

“While there is a need to achieve a just resolution to the brutal and merciless killings that shocked the nation less than a month ago, the University of the Philippines believes that the proclamation of martial law should be resorted to only if all else has failed.”

Individual Members of the Department of Philosophy, Ateneo de Manila University
A Statement on the declaration of Martial Law in Maguindanao

“The continuation of Martial Law in Maguindanao based on shaky grounds does not strengthen the state; it cripples the state further. Instead of countering the politics of impunity with showing that our democratic systems can and do work for the good of the people, the government has chosen to fight impunity with impunity, violence with violence.”

Kilusang Mayo Uno
Maguindanao ML, master stroke for whitewash

“With Martial Law in place, even for a few days, the situation in the province will be controlled, and evidence pointing to the Ampatuan political clan can now be covered up. This is the backhoe that will dig up the grave where the evidence will be dumped.”

Management Association of the Philippines
Statement on the Imposition of Martial Law in Maguindanao

“We fully support the President’s realization of the need for swift and dramatic action to restore law and order in Maguindanao. But Martial Law is a very serious step that completely disrupts the normal processes of democracy and should only be imposed in extreme cases of rebellion or invasion (as provided by the Constitution). The Maguindanao massacre, as horrific and dastardly as it was, does not justify such a drastic step.”

Mindanao Peaceweavers
Alarm on the declaration of Martial Law in Maguindanao

“MPW believes that the declaration of Martial Law is a manifestation of the failure of governance in the country. There is no need to declare Martial Law for government to uphold the protection of the public and ensure the rule of law.

The culture of impunity traces itself back to Malacanang which has allowed local officials to convert their private armed groups into legal entities as civilian volunteer organizations (CVOs) despite the constitutional provision which bans private armed groups.”

National Union of People’s Lawyers
Martial law and suspension of writ privilege: No sufficient factual basis, patently illegal, a brazen abuse of president’s power

“Not only does the president have to prove that rebellion indeed exists, she likewise has to prove that ‘public safety requires’ the declaration of martial law and the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus .”

Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting

“We don’t want that (Marcos dictatorship) to be repeated. It can’t stay longer until election time.”

Philippine Council for Islam and Democracy
Calls for the immediate lifting of martial law in Maguindanao

“The enormity of what happened in Maguindanao necessitates an iron hand so that justice will be brought to bear on the culprits responsible for the dastardly act, but the imposition of martial rule on a case that clearly stems from lawlessness and warlordism stretches the constitutional and legal wherewithal of the proclamation.”

“Martial law typifies a total breakdown of our institutions and democratic system and, in fact, it only further muddles the Maguindanao case and makes observers wonder if there is more to the province than simply a warlord clan gone berserk.”

Promotion of Church People’s Response (PCPR)
“We believe that Proclamation 1959 is part of the grand plan of the administration to test the nation of its position regarding declaring a martial rule. Then, it will become precedent for the other provinces who have the so called “rebellion” and eventually for the entire nation.”

“It seems that GMA administration are again parading its tendencies and power to annihilate other possible opponents. It had done it on May, 2001 and February, 2006 and may use it in a nationwide scale and remain in office beyond 2010.”

Southern Tagalog militant groups: KARAPATAN & AAPR
“Martial law does not equate to justice, this will only permit more human rights violations to the war-torn citizens. The declaration of Martial Law during the commemoration of Human Rights week is a slap to human rights advocates and clearly shows the government’s blatant disregard to human rights.”

“The declaration of Martial Law in Maguindanao thru Proclamation 1959 exposes the Arroyo administration’s misguided propensity to present a military solution, when what is needed is to strengthen civilian institutions, such as the courts and the media.”

Task Force Detainees of the Philippines
No To Proclamation 1959! No To Martial Law!

“In our view the declaration of martial law only serves to undermine the search for truth and justice because the institution of military rule effectively renders inutile the authority of the civilian government and opens the possibility of subverting legal and judicial processes.”

PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT:
Anakpawis Rep. Joel Maglungsod
No to Martial Law in Maguindanao

“We do not condone the lawless violence and maintenance of private armies of political warlords in Maguindanao, but Martial Law is not an effective solution to the crisis in Maguindanao.”

Bayan Muna Partylist Rep. Neri Javier Colmenares
Martial Law a Prelude to No Election

“The declaration of martial law in Maguindanao is not only unconstitutional since it was merely based on a supposed threat of rebellion, but is also a prelude to a declaration of martial law nationwide and no elections in 2010. The people should reject any member of Congress who voted in favor of martial law.”

Bayan Muna Partylist Rep. Satur Ocampo
“Pres. Arroyo is once again abusing her authority and going beyond the limits of her powers. The Philippine Constitution states that the President can declare martial law or suspend the writ of habeas corpus in case of an invasion or rebellion.  Neither of these conditions exist in Maguindanao, ergo Proclamation 1959 is unconstitutional.”

Liberal Party
NO NEED FOR MARTIAL LAW, ONLY ENFORCEMENT OF THE LAW

“There is no additional advantage to having a martial law regime - legally and militarily. It does not strengthen the position of government to serve justice to the victims of the massacre. The declaration of martial law can even lead to changing the character of the crimes committed in Maguindanao. The crimes allegedly committed are murder, rape, kidnapping and more. These capital crimes are non-bailable. In a state of martial law, these common crimes may be absorbed into the single crime of rebellion”

Kabataan Partylist Rep. Raymond Palatino
Proclamation 1959 a menacing cloud poised to unleash the worst of tragedies in Phil democracy

“The declaration of martial law in Maguindanao is a completely unnecessary move if the Arroyo administration genuinely intends to bring to justice the wrongdoers in the Maguindanao massacre. Its real motives, thus, are subject to suspicion.”

Martial law in Mindanao is not an answer to police incompetence. The government is bound by law to resolve this matter via due process and to ensure that all constitutional processes prevail.”

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile
“On the face of the proclamation, there seems to be a basis for it. Now, we have to presume that the President acted on facts known to her and initially we should not question the wisdom or lack of wisdom of her action.”

Senator Anotonio Trillanes IV
GMA can’t be trusted

“The primary issue at hand is not whether the declaration of martial law is the right policy to address the situation in Maguindanao but whether Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo could be entrusted with such enormous power. Clearly, the answer is no.”

Senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr.
Martial Law might have been declared to conceal electoral fraud

“Clearly, there is no basis for the claim that there is a threat of rebellion from the Ampatuans. May be this is just a gimmick to say there is a ground for martial law. But as I see it, this is just a ploy to hide the evidence of massive cheating in the last elections.”

Senator Benigno Simeon Aquino Jr.
Official Statement on the Declaration of Martial Law in Maguindanao

“If the declaration of Martial Law is not motivated by the enforcement of the rule of law, but is rather an attempt to expand authority by means of the military it will be a grave abuse of power and reckless endangerment of the lives of our brave soldiers.

“The Constitution is clear: martial law can only be declared upon the existence of an actual invasion or rebellion, and when public safety requires it.”

Senator Francis Joseph Escudero
On the Declaration of Martial Law in Maguindanao

“The current state of emergency would have sufficed to address the clamor for justice for the massacre victims and restore the rule of law in the province. For the longest time, this government has tolerated and promoted the culture of warlordism in Mindanao. Now, it seeks to be a warlord to undo what it has done. On its face, the declaration of martial law in Maguindanao is legally defective.”

Senator Lorna Regina Legarda
Congress must review PGMA martial law at once

“Maguindanao massacre had been the basis at all, the declaration came late… There must be a better way to check lawlessness in the area. Is the President admitting now that she couldn’t do anything anymore?”

Senator Maria Ana Consuelo Madrigal
Overkill and no basis

“The declaration of martial law proves how incompetent the Arroyo administration is to handle the situation in Maguindanao.”

Senator Manuel Villar
Martial law declaration in Maguindanao unnecessary

“It is unfortunate that the declaration of Martial law has been resorted to after the government appeared reluctant to go all-out against those responsible for the Maguindanao massacre. The state of emergency should have already been enough to dismantle the private armies operating in the province. We don’t even need to declare martial law in Maguindanao; we only have to enforce existing laws.”

Senator Pilar Juliana Cayetano
On Martial law declaration in Maguindanao

“The Arroyo regime should exercise great caution before resorting to extreme measures such as declaring martial law and suspending the writ of habeas corpus. It has the entire PNP and AFP in its disposal to disarm the Ampatuans’ private army and arrest the perpetrators of the Magunadanao massacre, so why the need to declare martial law?”

Senator Richard Gordon
On the declaration of martial law
“Martial law should have been declared immediately after the carnage but only in Maguindanao.”

Senator Rodolfo Biazon
Sinister plot to absolve Ampatuans?

“There is no need to declare Martial Law which does not add anything to the problem of having to arrest and prosecute the perpetuators of the massacre. We have laws, the courts, the means - the police and their brother in arms the military. We don’t need any powers and arrangements perceived with the declaration of Martial Law.”

United Opposition Party
On the Declaration of Martial Law in Maguindanao
“A Martial Law declaration is not necessary to bring peace and order and achieve justice for the victims of the Maguindanao massacre.”

INTERNATIONAL NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS:
Amnesty International
Amnesty says government must set out clear timetable for end of martial law and disband paramilitaries

“The Philippine authorities should immediately establish a clear and short timetable for an end to martial law in the country’s restive Maguindanao province and dismantle armed paramilitary groups throughout the country.”

Asian Human Rights Commission
Irrationality and double standards in Maguindanao’s martial law

“Following this declaration the opinions of the Filipino people were divided; some are opposed to it while others approved of it. This demonstrates how odd the principle of rule of law, human rights and democracy is understood in the country.”

Bayan USA
Power, Not Justice, is What Arroyo Seeks With Martial Law

“This is not about seeking justice for the victims of the Maguindanao massacre. This is about taking advantage of what is perhaps the most insolent election-related act of violence in recent Philippine history to justify abuse of executive powers.”