Martial law was imposed Dec. 5 in the southern province of Maguindanao where 57 people were killed in a political massacre while security forces detained members of a powerful clan accused of plotting the attack and fomenting a rebellion.

It was the first time martial law has been declared in the country since the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos imposed it more than three decades ago.

With memories of abuses from that time still fresh in their minds, opposition politicians and human rights groups questioned the actions of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (pictured), saying she overreacted to a police problem.

Clan patriarch Andal Ampatuan Sr. — a former governor was among those detained — and at least six other family members are the main suspects in the Nov. 23 attack on a political rival's convoy.