Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita (center), reads Proclamation No. 1959, ‘proclaiming a state of martial law and suspending the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in Maguindanao,' during a press conference Saturday in Malacañang. (AFP Photo)

With martial law prevailing in Maguindanao in the next 60 days, the international community reminded the Philippine government Saturday that it is closely watching developments, particularly on the pursuit for justice and ensuring the protection of human rights, in the volatile province that rose to ignominy over the massacre of 57 civilians last November 23.

“The world is watching and waiting to see whether justice is done. We will continue to closely monitor the situation,” British Ambassador Stephen Lillie said in a statement.

“We look forward to the return of normality in Maguindanao. We stress the need to respect human rights of the people while acknowledging the need to stabilize the situation there,” he said.

As this developed, President Arroyo is set to submit her report to Congress this Sunday, December 6, to justify her imposition of martial rule in Maguindanao as well as to allow the legislative department to act on proclamation, Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera said.

As provided for by the Constitution, within 48 hours from the proclamation of martial law or the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus, the President shall submit in person or in writing its report to Congress.

The Congress, for its part, will have to call a regular or special session within 24 hours to act on the proclamation.

The Constitution provides that “Congress, voting jointly, by a vote of at least a majority of all its members in regular or special session, may revoke such proclamation or suspension, which revocation shall not be set aside by the President.”

If there is persistent invasion and rebellion, the Congress may also call for extension of such proclamation for such a period of time upon the initiative of the President. It may also suspend such proclamation.

The 1987 Charter also provided that “the Supreme Court may review in an appropriate proceeding, filed by any citizen, the sufficiency of the factual basis of the proclamation of martial law or the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus or the extension thereof and must promulgate its decision thereon within 30 days from its filing.”

The UK government is among the members of the international community which is actively involved in the peace and development in Mindanao.

It was among the first to condemn the Maguindanao massacre that killed 57 civilians, among them about 30 journalists. The November 23 Maguindanao massacre was condemned by the international community, led by the United Nations (UN), as well as the United States and Australia.

It was recalled that US Ambassador Kristie Kenney had stressed the need to investigate and bring the people responsible to justice, adding that the government should ensure that the incident “can never happen again.”

The US embassy in Manila had temporarily suspended its development projects in Maguindanao to ensure security among its workers deployed in the province for the building of schools, roads, infrastructures, and other development projects.

The international community has likewise expressed sympathy to the family of the victims and expressed hope for the rapid investigation of the case that would lead to the imprisonment of those responsible for the crime.

President Arroyo on Saturday signed Proclamation No. 1959 proclaiming the state of martial law and suspending the writ of habeas corpus in Maguindanao.

Devanadera said the government will not be surprised if numerous groups or individuals will contest Proclamatation No. 1959.

“We are anticipating that some people will be doing that. The President shall make a report to Congress and in that report, we shall be narrating the factual basis of the declaration of the martial law and the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus,” Devanadera said.