Mindanao governors, lawmakers support martial law
Several Mindanao governors and congressmen on Tuesday expressed their support to the declaration of martial law in Maguindanao province, saying it should serve as a wake-up call for âwarlords" in the country. "With what's been found all over the area, I think the declaration is justifiable. No one knows what's going to happen," said Davao del Norte Rep. Antonio Lagdameo at a press conference inside the Batasan Pambansa in Quezon City. Davao del Sur Rep. Marc Douglas Cagas IV said the existence of warlords is a reality in the whole country. âRealistically speaking, warlords do not only exist in Maguindanao. There are also other warlords in other areas." âThis [martial law] is a wake-up call for them to stop the rule of tyranny and start abiding by the rule of law," he added. Through Proclamation 1959, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo placed Maguindanao under martial last Friday night to contain what her government said a looming rebellion there allegedly led by supporters of the Ampatuan clan.