Some conspiracy theorists had it coming.
They theorized that the Maguindanao Massacre might be a ploy to justify the issuance of a declaration of Martial Law. Besides, they say, the alleged culprits, the Ampatuans, are known to be supporters of the Arroyo administration.
Far-fetched at it may seem to be, I remember the same argument of post 9-11 conspiracy theorists that argue up to this day that the Bush administration’s and the neocons of Washington had something to do with the 9-11 attack.
And given the Arroyo family’s unsatiable thirst for power and plunder, it may not be so hard to think so.
December 5, 2009. As announced by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Philippine President Gloria Arroyo issued Proclamation 1959 declaring Martial Law for the whole province of Maguindanao and suspending the writ of habeas corpus.
According to Ermita, the proclamation was issued due reports of the massing and positioning of armed groups in the area and that the presence of these elements of rebellion served as the basis of the proclamation.
In a news conference held by Justice Secretary Agnes Devenadera, Brig. General Gaudencio Pangilinan said that they have intelligence reports indicating that armed groups were amassing in eight municipalities in the province, mostly around 20 to 100 men.
Well, it is a known fact that lawless men and loose firearms proliferate in the area long before the Maguindanao Massacre. It is also a known fact that armed groups and private armies operate in the area as controlled by political clans. it is also a known fact that the local police and CAFGU personnel are under the employ of these clans.
You don’t need Martial Law to take away these known facts. You don’t need Martial Law to disarm these private armies nor to arrest and prosecute the criminals who perpetrated the ruthless and savage Maguindanao Massacre.
You don’t need to suspend civil rights just to pursue a criminal case and upheld the law.
Since the military started to cordon the homes of the Ampatuans, I kind of suspect something amiss. While they said they are there to protect the Ampatuans from the setback of being tagged as behind the massacre, it also shows the irregularity of it. They were literally taken hostage in their own homes. It was simply unconstitutional.
So there is definitely something more than just providing protection.
Because it is also a known fact that the Ampatuans are not mere allies of the Arroyo administration. They are great allies who deliveres. Case in point, the opposition got zero votes there, a small but telling improbability.
They probably were there to make sure the Ampatuans don’t go beserk and go somewhere to provide their own story.
And since it was obvious that the Arroyo administration is dumping the whole of the Ampatuan clan as allies after their alleged involvement to this heinous act, following the usual script of cowardly dogs about to drown, they would have no choice but to spill the details of all the things they know to save their own skin.
And since the Ampatuans, due to public outrage over the killings, would be down and out this coming national and local election, it can also be very convenient for the military to take over. Remember General Esperon’s alleged role in the Hello Garci scandal?
I wouldn’t be surprised if we find another Esperon in the making.
Yes there is the massacre that happened, there are private armies that needs to be disbanded, and suspects to be arrested, and like I said, you don’t need a Martial Law to cover these.
And the only rebellion I could see is the Ampatuans rebelling from their grandmaster of evil who resides in Malacanang.