Was it necessary to declare martial law in Maguindanao?

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed Proclamation No. 1959, declaring martial law in the Maguindanao province on December 4, 2009. This was government's response following the political macre of 57 individuals, including women and members of the media, in Ampatuan. Government eventually placed Maguindanao under a "state of emergency" prior to the declaration of martial law. Under Section 18 of Article VII of the Constitution, the President is required to submit a report to Congress within 48 hours from the proclamation of martial law for review. Under a martial law, government suspends the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus, as the military takes control. Some lawmakers and government officials have pointed out that the declaration of martial law has no legal basis. So was it necessary to declare martial law in Maguindanao given the cirstances? Why or why not? a href="http://ph.news.yahoo.com/abs/20091206/tph-update-arroyo-armed-political-uprisi-85c5a6c.html"http://ph.news.yahoo.com/abs/20091206/tp…/a