United Opposition: Martial law is not the solution to disarm and arrest warlords!

There is no need to declare Martial Law to disarm and arrest warlords.

United Opposition National Chairman Joseph Victor Ejercito said “It is but right to arrest the Ampatuans believed to be involved in the November 23 massacre. But the declaration of martial in Maguindanao seems to show that Arroyo administration and its cohorts in the AFP-PNP have something more up their sleeves. ”

Ejercito expressed dismay that the Arroyo government may “take advantage of the situation and declare martial law as well is provinces believed to be having uprisings like Abra, Masbate, Lanao and in the end, the whole country.”

The UNO National Chairman echoes the general public outrage over the declaration of martial law in Maguindanao.  “If there is ample evidence, then there is enough case for the arrest of the Ampatuans.  Andal Ampatuan Jr. was arrested without Martial Law,” Ejercito said.

But the buck does not stop there, Ejercito said. “The cache of weapon and ammunition found in the Ampatuan lair were apparently from the AFP-PNP,” the opposition leader noted, adding “Military and policemen should also be investigated to find out how these high-powered arms and ammunition found their way to the Ampatuans, and eventually used in the mass slaughter.”

Ejercito, who is also mayor of San Juan City, added that even the president should be investigated because of her close ties with the Ampatuan clan.

“Even Gloria Arroyo who is a long-time accomplice of the Ampatuans, and is likely involved with the supply of equipment to the Ampatuans, should also be investigated,” he said.

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