Totally Disarm Political Private Armies

Senator Rodolfo G Biazon today said that Malacanang, in declaring a state of emergency should include a total disarmament of all private armies especially the private armies of political warlords.

"Malacanang should focus first in disarming the private armies of its allies especially in the areas covered by Proclamation No. 1946 which includes Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat, Cotabato City and such other politically violent prone areas in the country, " the Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security strongly recommended.

"Malacanang knew of the eminence of political violence that led to the worst political massacre of Maguindanao because Malacanang had presided over three meeting of the warring political families of the Ampatuans and the Mangudadatus in July, August and October to thresh out peace between the two warring families."

"On the very morning that the massacre was being perpetrated, Malacanang was closeted with one of the 2 warring families to avert what was happening that morning."

"Malacanang failed to take all the necessary measures to prevent this political violence in spite of the fact that they were aware of the situation in Maguindanao."

Biazon asserted, "If the rule of law will be restored and maintained, especially during the upcoming national and local elections of May 2010, MALACANANG MUST NOW EFFECT A TOTAL DISARMAMENT OF ALL PRIVATE ARMIES."

"Why did Malacanang fail to disarm these political allies?" Biazon is asking.

"If that had been done and if Malacanang was able to assert itself over these allies, the Maguindanao massacre could have been prevented, " Biazon assessed.

"It is not enough therefore, that the perpetrators and masterminds of the Maguindanao massacre be arrested and prosecuted, what must be done is to effect a total disarmament of private armies."

Biazon concluded, " I cannot accept the proposition that the AFP and the PNP can not effect a total disarmament unless Malacanang has totally lost its political will to maintain law and order and restore the rule of law all over the Philippines."