State of emergency stays in Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat, Cotabato City – Palace

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang ruled out, on Thursday, the lifting of a state of emergency in Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat and Cotabato City, which was imposed in November 2009, by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in the aftermath of the Maguindanao massacre.

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said officials in the three areas believed the measure should be maintained especially in view of the elections in May 2013.

He said that after President Benigno Aquino III assumed office in June 2010, the officials, including Maguindanao Gov.  Esmael Mangudadatu, reached this consensus.

“Now, that there’s upcoming elections also, there’s no call for them to lift the state of emergency. And, I think, that is still the position taken by the local government officials there. So the state of emergency as of this briefing is still in place, and to ensure peace and order in the area of Maguindanao, especially in these coming elections,” he told reporters.

Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II has identified Maguindanao as one of the 15 provinces in the priority election watch list, Lacierda said.

After the gruesome massacre of 58 civilians in Maguindanao,  Arroyo issued on Nov. 24, 2009, Proclamation Order No. 1946 declaring a state of emergency in the three areas, allowing the military to quell lawless violence and crack down on private armies.