MANILA, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's decision to declare martial law in Maguindanao is not an "overreaction" as alleged by critics but is "necessary" to quell a rebellion designed to "protect" those responsible for the Maguindanao massacre, her spokesman said on Sunday.

    Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said in a news briefing that the martial law declaration would be imposed for a "limited time" only but the Armed Forces is hoping that it could be extended until elections to ensure peaceful and credible polls in the province.

    "I would like to stress that the declaration of martial law in Maguindanao is not an overreaction. It was necessary to quell rebellion that was designed to protect the suspects of the horrible Maguindanao massacre. These things, this move was necessary in order to give justice to the victims of the Maguindanao massacre," Remonde said.

    He said that the President's decision showed a "very decisive leadership who cannot be cowed by fear nor favor."

    "We are confident that we have done what is right. We are also confident that Congress will do what is right," he said, adding that the President was scheduled to submit her report to Congress on the martial law declaration that night, as required by law.

    He said that that the objectives of the declaration is to give justice to the 57 victims, arrest all the suspects, secure the safety of witnesses, restore government services, and "ensure that press freedom is back in the area."

    Ms Arroyo on late Friday imposed martial law in Maguindanao as police and soldiers moved to disarm and arrest the Ampatuan clan, who are suspected of ordering the mass murder of people on a local political rival's election convoy last Nov. 23 in Ampatuan town, Maguindanao.

    According to the Philippine law, martial law allows arrests to be made without warrants and civil rights are suspended for a preliminary period of 60 days.