<P> On December 4, 2009, through Proclamation No. 1959, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo officially placed Maguindanao province under a state of martial law, thereby suspending the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus . Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the step was taken in order to avert the escalation of "lawless" violence in the province and pave the way for the swift arrest of the suspects in the massacre . Following the declaration, authorities carried out a raid on a warehouse owned by Andal Ampatuan Jr . The raid resulted in the confiscation of more than 330,000 rounds of 5.56 × 45mm NATO ammunition, a Humvee, and an improvised armored vehicle . Twenty militiamen were arrested on the premises . Captain James Nicolas of Special Forces was able to retrieve more high powered firearms and ammo after the incident . The state of martial law in Maguindanao was lifted on December 13, 2009 . </P> <P> Amid the escalation of conflicts in Mindanao and recent clashes in Marawi City related to the Maute Group, incumbent President Rodrigo Duterte placed Mindanao and its nearby islands under martial law at 10: 00 p.m. (UTC + 8) on May 23, 2017 . This was announced during a briefing held in Moscow, where President Duterte was on an official visit, and will be in effect for 60 days . Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said the declaration was possible given the "existence of rebellion," while Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano explained that the step was taken with of "the safety, the lives and property of people of Mindanao" in mind . Implementation is to be pursuant to the 1987 Constitution, which provides for a maximum 60 day - state of martial law without Congress approval for extension, the continuation of government functions, and the safeguard of individual freedoms . However, President Duterte insisted that it will not be any different from martial law under President Marcos . </P> <P> While the declaration does not currently affect citizens and government units in Luzon or the Visayas, President Duterte suggested that he might extend martial law to the entire country if needed to "protect the people ." </P> <P> The imposition of martial rule has been generally peaceful in Davao City and other major cities in Mindanao, except Lanao del Sur and Lumad communities in the eastern and southern provinces . </P>

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