THE November 23 Movement, a coalition of media organizations and groups calling for accountability and swift justice to the slain journalists and other victims of the Ampatuan Massacre, is opposing the declaration of martial law in Maguindanao.
Its statement:
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.
Members of the November 23 Movement include National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, Business World, 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, Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Philippine Human Rights Reporting Project, Philippine Press Institute, Pinoy Weekly, Southeast Asia Press Alliance and VERA Files.
The Center for International law said the declaration of martial law and suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in Maguindanao is “without clear basis.”
CenterLaw’s Harry Roque said, “The writ is the strongest means to secure the right of liberty. Suspend that and the people are sitting ducks to autocratic governments.”
Roque said the Constitution specifies the grounds for declaration of martial law: insurrection, rebellion and invasion. “None of these grounds are present in Mindanao. Instead, Maguindanao is a purely police issue. Martial law cannot solve a police matter,” he said.
“The declaration of martial law is an extraordinary power of the President as Commander in Chief. It should be resorted to only as a last resort,” he added.
The Black and White Movement’s statement:
We demand that Congress heed the Constitution and convene to revoke this proclamation. The declaration of a state of emergency should have been enough.
We cannot help but suspect that this government has more in mind than just imposing justice on one family, albeit a powerful one, in Maguindanao. The end does not justify the means. The danger is in the perceived comfort level that the public may at first experience from the strength of such an action.
We caution, and remind, that this was the initial reaction to the imposition of martial law when the dictator, Ferdinand Marcos, announced it in 1972. We urge vigilance. Let us not be lulled into complacency, beguiled by seemingly good intentions.