Rep. Lacson: Martial law in Maguindanao PGMA’s judgment call
QUEZON CITY — An urgent executive-legislative caucus will be held in Congress today in the light of the President’s declaration of Martial Law in Maguindanao following the massacre of 57 civilians.
According to Negros Occidental 3rd District Rep. Jose Carlos Lacson, it is provided under the Constitution that if the President declares Martial Law under Proclamation 1959, she should report to the House within 48 hours to explain the reason for her action so they can judiciously decide on the matter.
He said they received a message Saturday that the President has declared Martial Law under Proclamation 1959.
It was known that President Macapagal Arroyo declared Martial Law Friday night over Maguindanao to quell what security officials claimed as an ongoing rebellion in the province allegedly staged by supporters of the Ampatuan clan that was implicated in the Nov. 23 massacre of 57 women and journalists.
“This is the first time we are going to act on something like this,” he said, adding that they will revoke, extend, shorten, or set certain conditions on the implementation of Martial Law in Maguinadanao.
Their action will depend on the facts to be presented to them by the executive.
“I hope this will be only used to expedite the resolution of the case,” he added.
Some lawlessness in Maguindanao and the local government unit itself seems not to be functioning anymore, he said.
Lacson also said that it was judgment call of the President “because you have heard of judges or prosecutors who do not want to act due to the situation.”
“I hope that this will not be prolonged in such a way that the people would think that this is just being used for other purposes,” he said.
With the declaration of Martial Law, the Writ of Habeas Corpus is suspended and there can be warrantless arrests.
