Martial Law in Maguindanao

Image via Wikipedia

After the brutal massacre that caused 58 innocent lives, 27 of them were journalists covering the opening salvo of political hype in Maguindano, the Philippine government, in its effort of running after the culprits, put the entire Maguindanao province under the state of Martial Law. Such declaration, resulted to the immediate arrest of the prime suspects and confiscations of high powered firearms in various places.

However, the government’s action of declaring Martial Law in Maguindanao received a lot of negative reactions coming from different sectors of the society, especially the opposition groups. The Philippines has a long dark experience under Martial Law during the deposed regime of President Marcos for almost 20 years. This explains the negative reactions in spite of the supposed purpose after the dreadful massacre.

Putting the entire Maguindanao province under the state of martial law means placing more power to the military in carrying over its purpose. But, is martial law the right decision for the Philippine government?

Image via Wikipedia

To put the country or any part thereof under martial law, the Philippine government has to resolve first the factual basis and sufficiency of such declaration: invasion and rebellion. Was there invasion and or rebellion? The government has cited the planned rebellion as justification for martial law. Assuming there was rebellion, that will mean  filling of rebellion case against the mastermind of Maguindanao massacre, instead of murder.

This act of the Philippine government is considered by a lot of  political analysts a weak case against the culprits, a decision considered by many as part of whitewashing for political accommodation. The government must convince the Congress of the factual basis of martial law, otherwise, it must be revoked. Murder is considered by the great majority as the right case to be filed against the culprits instead of rebellion. Clearly, there was no rebellion even.

Image via Wikipedia

The events happening in Mindanao today has been considered by its critiques a sign that the Philippine government has been making Mindanao a political laboratory in order to maintain control over the whole island. The government could not claim a closed eye on the existence of armed groups on the island, especially in Maguindanao, as shown on the  high powered firearms bearing the zeal of the Department of National Defense Armory itself, an indication that the government is well knowledgeable if not supporting theses armed groups, by way of divide and rule policy to maintain sovereignty  over Mindanao. Sometimes, there are a lot of scenarios that only higher officials and selected generals  only know as part of internal security measures. But to the common people, the government must bend its toes in explaining theses matters to gain the people’s trust and confidence.