PRESS STATEMENT OF SENATOR M.A. MADRIGAL ON GMA USING EXCESSIVE FORCE

Yesterday, Mrs. Arroyo showed the whole world her use of excessive force including illegal arrests of the media in order to protect her hold on power. She showed her ruthlessness when she failed to exhaust all peaceful means to resolve the situation.

I strongly warn Mrs. Arroyo and her hawks not to use the Makati incident to crack down on legitimate members of the opposition and progressive leaders and groups. Unless we are under Martial Law, warrantless arrests are illegal. I urge all Filipinos to stand up to Mrs. Arroyo and her cohorts. She is now using the Makati incident to sow fear among the people in order to enforce her brand of state terrorism in total disregard of constitutional rights, in order to stay in power at all costs.

The Filipino people should fight against all efforts of the Arroyo administration to curtail civil liberties. We cannot tolerate any form of emergency rule or martial law by this corrupt and morally bankrupt administration.

During Martial Law, President Marcos ruled with an iron hand but the rules were clear. Today, Mrs. Arroyo rules through fear and confusion. She wants to remain in power but cannot get her act together as shown by the pathetic performance of her neophyte Defense Secretary, Gilbert Teodoro. If GMA wants to restore order and authority in the Department of Defense and the AFP, why not appoint Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile to his former post during martial law, as Secretary of Defense?

The inept handling of yesterday's situation by the DOD showed that Sec. Teodoro is a dove among hawks. He failed to reassure the Filipino people that his department was in control of the situation. Perhaps, his staff failed to furnish him with basic information and guidelines on curfew, legal and other matters. His Harvard education and administrative skills would best be put to use as DILG secretary. A cabinet reshuffle is in order.

The legitimate opposition in the Senate shall not be deterred by fear. We remain committed to expose and pursue all legislative investigations and inquiries on TRANSCO, ZTE, and the pay-offs and bribery scandals that continue to bring down Mrs. Arroyo's administration. We continue to fight corruption at all costs.