Proclamation 1959
[photo from the Facebook page for the Online Vigil for the Victims of the Maguindanao Massacre]
As if the country hasn’t been through so much in the months leading to Christmas, on Saturday Malacañang issued Proclamation 1959 declaring Martial Law in the Province of Maguindanao. Their basis: rebellion.
Who is rebelling against who? Aren’t the Ampatuans in power, and in fact in liege with the President? I don’t think they’re rebelling against anyone. They have their own army, yes. They have a reported 2000-strong militia at their disposal, but they’ve been laying low since the events of November 23rd. Many don’t see the need for martial rule, specially since slow as it may have been, arrests are already happening and weapons have been seized.
It is not surprising that in a search done in the elder Ampatuan’s residence today, they found his bank-size vault empty. It was locked, but was found to contain NOTHING at all once it was unlocked. What would a vault be for if it would be kept empty? Looks to me like it was cleaned out recently. Then there are reports that some suspected to be involved in the massacre are hiding out in Metro Manila. O-K. So they flew all the way to Manila to hideout. Then the courts have ruled to transfer the hearing for the cases to Quezon City, miles and miles away from the court which would have had jurisdiction over the issue.
So what’s next? Will they expand Martial Law to include Metro Manila?
December 9, 2009 @ 1:18 pm
Hmm…I’m not sure what movie you are talking about…but thanks for the comment! :]
.-= Leilanie´s last blog ..Earn Your Degree Online =-.
December 9, 2009 @ 1:29 pm
Hi! I remember the movie now, it’s “Love Actually.” I always think of that movie when I hear All I Want for Christmas 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
December 9, 2009 @ 7:29 pm
I’ve heard that PGMA declared Martial Law to cover up her connections with the Ampatuan’s which (I think) wasn’t successful since the military found some ballot boxes and elections paraphernalias inside the Ampatuan’s mansion that will justify the cheating last 2001 and 2004 elections. Do you remember that the Opposition candidates last 2004 election did not have any single votes in the area? Just some thoughts to make you ponder.
.-= levy´s last blog ..Facebook vs. Friendster =-.
December 10, 2009 @ 11:37 pm
PGMA declared Martial Law in order to help the Ampatuans. I’ve read it in the newspaper that if you are charged with rebellion and found guilty, you will still be given a Presidential Amnesty. She is protecting the Ampatuans.
December 12, 2009 @ 8:33 pm
Martial Law in the Province of Maguindanao is just GMA’s totally useless attempt to protect herself and prolong her stay in Malacanang. Wala namang epekto sa mga direct na may sala (the ampatuans in power) ang ginawa niya dahil nakapagtago na yung mga yun. Ang kawawa, yung mga mahihirap nilang mga kamag-anak na hindi makapagtago.
.-= Ellen Joy Castel´s last blog ..Giveaway at Shop N’ Chomp =-.
December 13, 2009 @ 6:53 am
Kawawa talaga yung mga kamag-anak na walang kinalaman sa gulo. And their kids/grandkids will forever have to live with this.