MANILA, Philippines— Quezon City Representative Matias Defensor Jr. wants President Macapagal-Arroyo to declare martial law in Maguindanao to prevent the escalation of violence in the province but some legislators are cool to his proposal.

Defensor said the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus in Maguindanao would prevent the Ampatuans and Mangudadatus from engaging in “lawless violence” and hasten the arrest of people responsible for the massacre of at least 64 unarmed civilians, mostly women and journalists, in the province last week.

“The massacre is glaring proof of lawless violence that only a declaration of martial law can contain. I think that right now the most reasonable and quickest way to bring back law and order in the province and seek justice for victims of this most despicable act of violence is to place the entire province under martial law,” Defensor said.

He said that by declaring martial law in Maguindanao, search and arrest warrants would no longer be necessary for obtaining evidence and arresting the suspects.

“The Constitution allows the President to place only Maguindanao under military rule. Under the Constitution, Congress has the power to revoke a proclamation of martial law within 48 hours after it was declared,” Defensor told reporters.

Defensor said any delay in the probe and arrest of the killers could only heighten the tension in the area. He said the government had been having difficulty finding witnesses because of fear of retaliation and lack of faith in the government’s determination to put the killers behind bars.

But Defensor’s colleagues in the House of Representatives do not see any urgency in taking such radical measures in Maguindanao.

“I think the steps taken so far by the government are enough. Maguindanao is virtually under military control and the Ampatuans have been suspended from all important apparatus of the government. There are no signs of insurrection. Martial law at this point is not warranted, it will only spook civil society,” said Isabela Rep. Georgidi Aggabao.

Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Satur Ocampo said the Maguindanao situation did not call for the declaration of martial law. “We just need the political will to dismantle political armies. I cannot support the declaration of martial law by this government that has blatantly flouted the law and the Constitution,” Ocampo said.