Manila is right to impose martial law

Philippine President Gloria Arroyo has taken the extraordinary constitutional step of imposing martial law in the southern province of Maguindanao. Given the long and torturous history of the Philippines, the imposition of martial law is a step that cannot have been taken lightly. All too often in the nation's past, various elements within have taken the opportunity to coerce the unwilling into a change of administration. But the president's hand has been forced in this instance.

Prior to issuing the decree, armed groups had been massing in areas of Maguindanao for a possible armed rebellion against the Manila administration. Clearly, this is a threat that could not be allowed to develop, undermining her government and its legitimate authority.

Already, given the horrific massacres there in the past two weeks, the province was clearly slipping out of control and into chaos. A local militia, the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Units led by Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr of Datu Unsay town, was supposedly behind the killing of journalists and officials.

In effect, the local government of Maguindanao had become paralysed by the clear and present dangers posed by such armed groups.

There is an important principle at work here: When a local and legally elected government is unable to act — by fear of threat or otherwise — the federal government has a legal and moral obligation to look after the needs of its people.

Clearly, this is the case in Maguindanao. Indeed, the whole of the Philippines remains traumatised by the bloody events of the past two weeks.

And there is a second important principle to be remembered: By imposing the state of martial law, there is also a responsibility on the federal government to return the situation to normal as rapidly as possible. The Manila government must ensure this happens.