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10 DECEMBER 2009

CHR ON QC DESIGNATION AS SPECIAL COURT FOR MAGUINDANAO MASSACRE: SECURITY THREAT TO SEAT OF GOVERNMENT

On 8 December 2009 , various news outfits have reported that the Supreme Court had granted the request of the Department of Justice (DOJ) for the transfer of venue for the criminal cases of murder against Andal Ampatuan, Jr. from the Regional Trial Court of Cotabato City to the Regional Trial Court of Quezon City. The DOJ had made such a request on the grounds that witnesses fear for their lives if they were to testify in Cotabato City .

As the number of charges and accused grow in relation to the Maguindanao Massacre, there is now a looming possibility of a very severe security threat to Metro Manila.

Following an interview with journalist Ted Failon, and echoing the latter’s concerns, CHR Chairperson Leila De Lima said, “Any city that becomes the venue of the special court that will try those responsible for the Maguindanao Massacre will naturally be exposed to serious security threats.”

As reported on ABS-CBN News Channel, the NBI and PNP have received intelligence reports of a possible plot to free Andal Ampatuan, Jr., who is now detained at the NBI Headquarters in Manila.

De Lima continued, “It concerns us that Quezon City , or any city in Metro Manila for that matter, had even been considered as the venue of the special court. Metro Manila is the economic and political capital of the country, and to place the seat of power under such serious threat could very well develop into a new and expanded declaration of martial law.”

“It may sound hysterical to some people, but people must observe the recent declaration in Maguindanao,” De Lima added. “The mere allegation of massing armed groups in the hinterlands of the province was enough to make the suggestion that it was related to the closure of local government services, and thus pronounced as a rebellion, which in turn justified Martial Law. Now, transplant the same scenario to Metro Manila, where we have at least 5 other members of the Ampatuan clan detained to face charges in a QC special court. If a plot by their loyal CVO followers to free them is not far fetched, and there is a massing of armed elements in and around the city, then perhaps a martial law declaration here in Metro Manila is not far fetched as well. Since this is the seat of power of the country, is it possible that martial law could be declared over the entire country as well?”

“Apparently, it takes very little to induce the Executive branch to declare martial law,” De Lima said, visibly piqued.

Since Martial Law was imposed late in the evening of December 4, six days later, the Legislature is still unable to come up with a definitive vote to either extend or revoke the declaration. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has held in abeyance any move to issue a TRO against the imposition of martial law.

“Our first response to the martial law declaration was that the entire country should be extra vigilant,” De Lima said. “While Congress wrangles with the extension or revocation, as the case maybe, of martial law, and in grand fashion, it diverts our attention from subtle details of events which are unfolding very quickly. If we are not careful, we could very well find ourselves in a situation much worse than it is already. We must remain vigilant.”

“We ask the DoJ and Supreme Court to reconsider the moves to conduct the special court hearings in Metro Manila,” De Lima continued. “There are other cities that can still be properly secured from armed threats, like Davao City , General Santos City or Cagayan De Oro City, especially considering the massive deployment of police and military personnel in Mindanao . It is not that we want to place these alternative places or cities in danger. What we want to guard against are possible grounds for a martial law declaration over the political capital and even the rest of the country.”