COTABATO bishops have defended President Arroyo's declaration of martial law in Maguindanao, saying that the move is justified considering the "elements of wide-scale violence are present" in the province.

        In his pastoral letter, Cotabato Archbishop Orlando B. Quevedo also criticized Manila-based business groups and politicians for raising negative scenarios that could greatly affect the economic and social situation in Maguindanao as they have no idea of what is truly happening in the province.

        “Media and politicians from far away Manila do not seem to be familiar with the social, political, and cultural situation in Maguindanao," Quevedo said.

        Two Mindanao-based business groups also contradicted statement made by the Makati Business Club that the Maguindanao martial law is bad for business.

        "The declaration of martial law should finally bring peace and order to Maguindanao, which will result in economic progress, not just in the province but in Mindanao as well," said Louis N. Rabat, president of the Davao Oriental Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

        Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce President Rodolfo Menez echoed Rabat's sentiments, saying that martial law in Maguindanao, if followed through by the government, would mean a better business environment for Mindanao."

        A Palace insider who requested anonymity also said businessmen should not be alarmed on the temporary declaration of Martial Law in Maguindanao because what is happening on the ground is foremost an exercise to secure properties and business enterprises and to flush out lawless elements.

        Meanwhile, Cotabato Auxiliary Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo agreed with the declaration of martial law “as long as its scope, terms and limits are within the Philippine Constitution of 1987.”

        Bagaforo was a parish priest of the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in Parang, Maguindanao from 1999 to 2001.

        "The elements of wide-scale violence are there which might be uncontrollable," Bagaforo said, adding that the decision is within Arroyo's authority as commander-in-chief.

        The bishop added that there was a need for drastic action as “the element of civilian governance is almost unreliable at present for justice to prevail," referring to the leadership of the powerful Ampatuan family who are allegedly behind the massacre of 57 people in Maguindanao.

        Also, politicians from Mindanao are also in unison in endorsing President Arroyo's move to declare martial law in Maguindanao province in an effort to quell a brewing rebellion and dismantle the stranglehold of the powerful Ampatuan clan.

        Former Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero Pichay said only a true-blue Mindanaoan knows the real situation in Mindanao and Manila-based politicians should not meddle in the issue.

        "Politicians and groups who are based in Manila have no idea on the real score in Mindanao, especially in Maguindanao, so they should stop spreading negative things that they are not completely aware of," Pichay said.

        Sarangani Gov. Miguel Dominquez, president of the ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD said “Maguindanao’s political climate needs martial law to suppress lawlessness, dismantle the private armies, level the playing field and allow the full exercise of civil liberties by its citizens.”

        Representatives Lala Talino-Mendoza (1st Dist., North Cotabato), Douglas Cagas (1st Dist., Davao del Sur) and Anton Lagdameo, (2nd Dist., Davao del Norte), and Governors Abdul Sakur Tan (Sulu) and Jam Akbar (Basilan) joined Dominguez in supporting the move.

        “Martial law effectively enables the military and the police to proceed with the efficient disarming and dismantling private armed groups in Maguindanao,” said Dominguez.

        Dominguez echoed the position taken by Quevedo who had earlier welcomed a “temporary state of martial law” to restore peace and order and speed up the recovery of a large number of high powered firearms held by private armies in the area.

        As result of its intensified campaign to dismantle private armies, the military has already confiscated thousands of high-powered firearms and ammunitions from the Ampatuan clan.

        The military has arrested almost 100 individuals who were being used by the Ampatuans as private army and confiscated some 300,000 rounds of ammunitions.