MANILA, Philippines ? Imposing martial law in Maguindanao was a case of ?overkill and over-reaction,? a political leader in North Cotabato said, hours after Gloria President Macapagal-Arroyo declared military rule and suspended the writ of habeas corpus in the province.

?It?s a case of an overkill and over-reaction on the part of government,? North Cotabato Vice-Governor Manny Piñol, a former Arroyo ally, said in a telephone interview early Saturday.

Malacañang placed Maguindanao under martial law as contained in Proclamation 1959, to effect the arrest of members of the influential Ampatuan clan and their followers who were allegedly responsible for the massacre of 57 persons, mostly women from the rival Mangudadatu family, their followers, and journalists on November 23.

Piñol said he doubted the real objective of Malacañang in declaring martial law in Maguindanao, which is governed by Governor Andal Ampatuan Sr. The main suspect in the carnage, Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., has been detained in the National Bureau of Investigation in Manila since November 27.

?If the objective is to arrest the Ampatuans, they could have done that if they really wanted to without resorting to martial law,? Piñol said.

According to Piñol, he had received word that the Ampatuans had threatened to ?tell all they knew about electoral cheating? if President Arroyo ?stops supporting them.?

"Ang sabi ng ibang mga miyembro ng Ampatuan clan, kung bibitawan sila ni Pangulong Arroyo, sasabihin din nila ang lahat [Some members of the Ampatuan clan said that if President Arroyo disavowed them, they would tell all],? Piñol said.

In August, Piñol said he warned of an impending bloodbath between the warring clans after the Ampatuans raided the homes and confiscated the firearms of the Mangudadatu families.