Press Secretary Serge Remonde in a joint press conference held early Saturday morning in Manila with Executive Secretary Edgardo Ermita, AFP chief of staff Victor Ibrado and PNP director-general Jesus Versoza.
Announced the effect of proclamation 1959 a declaration of Martial law in Maguindanao Provinces and a state of emergency remains in effect over Sultan Kuderat and the City of Cotabato. “The President took the bold step as an answer to the cries of justice of the 57 victims of the Maguindanao massacre last Nov. 23 which includes 30 journalists.” Remonde said. Saying the orders effects covered Maguindanao, Sultan Kuderat, and Cotabato City.
MILITARY :Reprisals and terror spree feared after arrest of alleged “Warlord Governor”
Gen. Ibrado chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines recommended the declaration of martial law in Maguindanao. At a National Security Council meeting Thursday night, in his recomendation the General said that the, “the massing and movements of unidentified armed groups in the province.” as well as the threat of possible terrorist attacks versus government and civilians as well as the uncovering a huge arms cache of military grade weapons were part of the reason for his recommendation.
“The Military intelligence reports show that several groups armed with sophisticated foreign-made weapons are positioning themselves in Maguindanao,” Gen. Ibrado stressed that the risk of an imminent clashes or attempts terrorize civilians were the reason based on data gathered in the last 48 hours. “They are ready to retaliate once the government effect the arrest on Ampatuan clan members.” referring to members of a clan accused by government investigators of being behind a massacre that claimed more than 60 lives.
The Ampatuans, are a powerful politcal clan in the province of Maguindanao, Remonde went on to say thet the “Amaptuans have been linked directly or indirectly to the killings and the crackdown on members of the family began with the arrest of Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., two days after what has been considered as the worst election-related violence ever in the Philippines last Nov. 23.”
Sec. Ermita meanwhile confirmed reports that, “Earlier Saturday, Maguindanao Governor Andal Ampatuan Sr. was arrested by the military while Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan has been invited by authorities and is in General Santos City as of early morning Saturday. “