martial law in Maguindanao Lifted

President Gloria Arroyo lifted Saturday December 12,2009 the state of martial law in Maguindanao a week after it was imposed and even before both Houses of Congress could decide if it would approve or revoke it. The Chief Executive revoked martial law effective 9 p.m. December 12,2009 upon the recommendation of the Security Cabinet Group, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said in a press briefing in Malacañang December 12,2009 afternoon.
“It is a standing directive, but President Arroyo can manifest that she has already lifted martial law,” Guerra said, adding that the “matter will be considered by the Court in its en banc session on Tuesday.”
Ermita also disclosed that based on the PNP and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reports, most of the areas where massing of rebel groups had occurred had been cleared, including the towns of Ampatuan, Datu Unsay, Shariff Aguak, and Talayan. The reports added that criminal justice has also been restored and is now working; and the local government has also been restored following the appointment of Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Vice Governor Ansaruddin Adiong as the acting governor.
At last, people in Maguindanao have been free from the martial law and now can go out freely out in the street and no hesitation of being caught or harassed by the military.