Former Bukidnon Rep. Neric Acosta joined the growing number of voices calling for full accountability for the declaration of Martial Law in Maguindanao in the wake of the brutal slaying of 57 civilians and journalists in the province last month, the first case of election related violence in connection to the 2010 polls.

In his statement, Acosta, who launched his senatorial bid under the banner of the Liberal Party, said that even if the order has already been lifted by Malacañang, the people should not be cheated out of an explanation as to why there was a need in the first place to declare EO 1959 in Maguindanao.

“It behooves the government more than ever, to explain to the people why Martial Law had to be declared in the first place and why the full enforcement of the rule of law could not have been done to mete out justice for the victims of the Ampatuan massacre and stop the cycle of electoral violence in the province,” he said.

Acosta also said the caches of ammunition and firearms found in the Ampatuan compound which bear the seal of the military should raise the alarm on the possibility of collusion among officials of the administration and lawless elements.

“The admission by the PNP in the Senate hearings that their ‘hands are tied’ in the face of the need to disarm Civilian Volunteer Organizations (CVOs) point to the weakness of state institutions to maintain peace and order, and reveals the fact that CVOs in the region have become instruments in the service of warlordism, rather than for the security of communities,” he added.

Acosta called on the public to become more vigilant to ensure that justice will be served for the victims of the November 23 Maguindanao massacre.