Asked to comment, acting Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera said if she
Maguindanao case status to impact investment community
By Ehda M. Dagooc (The Freeman) December 15, 2009
CEBU, Philippines - While it is important for the Philippines to swiftly
resolve the Maguindanao massacre case and build a strong name in the
international investment community, the United Kingdom (UK) vowed to help
the Philippines in implementing effective peace process.
“It is of extreme importance that the Philippine government work
swiftly to bring perpetrators to justice,” British Ambassador to the Philippines
Stephen Lillie expressed his opinion on the incident.
Lillie said that the Great Britain condemns “in the strongest terms” the
gruesome massacre in Maguindanao that left fatalities of 57 civilians,
including journalists.
Lillie added that a “limited form of Martial Law” would be beneficial for
Maguindanao.
“The Philippine government needs to recognize the need to stabilize the
situation as early as possible but it must be legitimate in a way that no human
rights are violated,” he told reporters on a recent press conference in Cebu.
“The world is watching,” Lillie added, pertaining to the developments of how
the Philippines will bring justice to the victims of the massacre.
Early this month, the United Kingdom announced it has accepted the joint
invitation of the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front
(MILF) to be part of the ongoing peace process in southern Philippines by
joining the International Contact group (ICG) that will serve as guarantors to
the negotiations.
UK has joined Turkey, Japan and Saudi Arabia in the ICG.
“We are hoping to be of help to the peace process in Mindanao by bringing
our own experience of negotiating conflicts with Northern Ireland in the late
1960’s,” said Lillie.
Similar to the religious conflict in Mindanao involving Muslims and
Christians, UK’s conflict with Northern Ireland also involved a clash between
the Catholics and the Protestants, he said.
The ICG is envisioned to provide support to the negotiations. Its creation is
expected to pave the way for the resumption of formal peace talks between the
Philippine government and the MILF, the largest group battling for self-rule
in Mindanao.
A final peace agreement is crucial in ending more than four decades of
Muslim rebellion in Southern Philippines.
“You have to keep talking, otherwise it creates a vacuum that may give rise to
violence,” Lillie said.
In general, he believes that the peace negotiations in Mindanao ensures the
safety and security in the country is important if the Philippines wants to
establish a strong reputation as an investor-friendly nation and gather more
foreign direct investments.
“The challenge for the Philippines is to explain to the investors that because it
is an archipelago made up of three main islands, whatever happens in
Mindanao does not affect Luzon and the Visayas,” he said.
Achieving a smooth peace process, would benefit the Philippines economic
future, while the “world is watching”. Whatever resolution the country may
achieve in this respect, will provide a great impact to the international
investment community’s impression of the Philippines, Lillie concluded.
SC orders reraffle of Maguindanao case
By AMOR LOPEZ and DAVID CAGAHASTIAN
December 17, 2009, Philippine star
Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno has ordered Quezon City Regional Trial Court
Executive Judge Ofelia Marquez to reraffle the Ampatuan multiple murder
case at 2 p.m. today (Thursday) after Quezon City Judge Luisito Cortez,
inhibited himself from the case citing security reasons.
Cortez’s actions after the multiple murder case against Datu Unsay Mayor
Andal Ampatuan Jr. and companions was raffled to his sala Tuesday
apparently did not sit well with the Chief Justice, who visited the QC-RTC
Wednesday morning.
Supreme Court Deputy Spokesperson lawyer Gleo Guerra said the Chief
Justice, along with Court Administrator Jose Perez, met with all the
magistrates of Quezon City and had a talk with Cortez, who reportedly
explained his reasons for inhibiting.
Guerra said she was not sure whether the Chief Justice accepted Cortez’
reasons wholeheartedly.
Cortez is currently trying the murder case filed against former Abra Gov.
Vicente Valera who is accused of killing then Abra Representative Luis
Bersamin and his aide Senior Police Officer 1 Adelfo Ortega on December 16,
2006.
Guerra added that during the surprise visit of Chief Justice Puno, some
magistrates volunteered to handle the case “but the Chief Justice wanted the
proper procedure so he ordered a reraffle.”
She added that the Chief Justice and the QC-RTC judges agreed that there
would be “no immediate inhibition” regarding the Ampatuan case and vowed
to discuss Cortez’s case before the Court en banc.
were Cortez “I would find another job dahil hindi tama ’yung pag inhibit
niya.”
Devanadera said the government can provide the judges security, saying
threats come with the territory.
“Let me make this point clear: In a job like ours, such risks are part of the
territory. So I hope the judge reconsiders his decision," Devanadera said.
She also urged Cortez to reconsider his decision to inhibit himself.
Devanadera said that though risks to one's life attend careers in law, judges
and prosecutors should not turn away from their duties to serve justice.
DOJ investigators on Maguindanao case: ‘We will be objective and fair’
By Tetch Torres
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 12/18/2009
MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Justice (DOJ) panel of
investigators gave assurances they will resolve the case based on the evidence
presented amid allegations they have prejudged the case.
"Waiver to submit counter-affidavit does not mean there is already a finding
of probably cause. We assure everyone that we will be objective and fair and
will resolve the case based on the evidence that we have," panel member
Senior State Prosecutor Roseanne Balauag said.
The Ampatuans waived their right to submit a counter-affidavit saying Justice
Secretary Agnes Devanadera had made pronouncements against them.
Waiver to submit counter-affidavit means the allegations remain
uncontroverted, the panel said.
But Balauag said they will wait for the counter-affidavit of other respondents
and resolve the case jointly.
The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) filed multiple
murder charges against 190 respondents while the National Bureau of
Investigation filed complaints against 28 respondents before the DOJ.
This is apart from the 40 counts of murder pending before the Quezon City
Regional Trial Court.
The next hearing is set on December 28. The panel has 60 days from
December 2 to resolve the case.
Wife of gubernatorial bet, 35 killed in Maguindanao
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 17:15:00 11/23/2009
TACURONG CITY, Sultan Kudarat, Philippines – (UPDATE 3) At around
10 a.m. on Monday, vice mayor Ishmael Mangudadatu of Buluan town in
Maguindanao received a call from his wife that at least 100 armed men were
holding her and 50 others, including 34 journalists.
Mangudadatu’s wife Genalyn even complained that one of the armed men,
whom she identified as “Ampatuan’s men," slapped her.
That was the last time the vice mayor heard his wife’s voice. Late Monday
afternoon, Genalyn’s body was among those found in the village of Masalay
in Datu Abdullah Sangki town in Maguindanao.
“This is very painful but we trust God’s sense of justice. We leave everything
to him,” he said.
Buluan town Mayor Ebrahim Mangudadatu, brother of Ishmael, said they got
witnesses who claimed that his sister, Mayor Eden Mangudadatu of
Mangudadatu town, was brave enough to stab Datu Unsay town Mayor Andal
Ampatuan Jr., the man who wanted to succeed his father, Andal Sr., as
Maguindanao governor and the man against whom Ishmael would run.
“Maybe sensing that all of them will be killed, she drew out a knife and
stabbed Andal Jr. She’s brave,” the mayor said.
Presidential Adviser for Mindanao Jesus Dureza condemned the massacre.
“This is a gruesome massacre of civilians unequalled in recent history. Even
women and working mediamen were not spared. I grieve for my friends in the
media and all those killed while doing their job,” Dureza said in a statement.
“There must be a total stop to these senseless violence and carnage in the
highest form. I strongly recommend that a state of emergency be imposed in
the area and everyone be disarmed. Anything less would not work,” Dureza
added.
Buluan town Mayor Ebrahim Mangudadatu said he saw at least 20 bodies in
the village of Masalay earlier in the day.
“I saw around 20 bodies scattered on the ground. The cadavers were riddled
with bullets. Some women were obviously raped. The vehicles used were
ransacked and all valuables were taken away,” the mayor, who went to
Masalay on a helicopter, said.
Masalay, which is near the national highway, is a village of corn and coconut
farms.
Mayor Ebrahim Mangudadatu said some of the victims were buried. He said a
backhoe, which was apparently used to dig the graves, was still in the area.
The backhoe is owned by the Provincial Government of Maguindanao and
had Governor Andal Ampatuan’s name printed on it, the mayor said.
At least 34 journalists were with the group taken hostage by the armed men
Monday morning.
The journalists were there to cover the filing of certificate of candidacy for
gubernatorial position of Buluan Vice Mayor Ishmael "Toto" Mangudadatu.
The 34 journalists, aboard three vehicles, were part of the convoy led by vice
mayor Eden Mangudadatu of Mangudadatu town in Maguindanao, who was
tasked by his brother to file his COC with the Commission on Elections
(Comelec) provincial office in Shariff Aguak town, Maguindanao.
Also taken hostage were the vice mayor’s youngest sister Bai Farina
Mangudadatu, his two legal counsels Cynthia Joquindo and Connie Brizuela
and about 30 other women supporters.
Mangudadatu sent his wife and two sisters and several other women
supporters to formally file his COC with the Comelec to avoid creating
tension.
“I was expecting they will not harm them because they were all women. No
security escorts were sent to accompany them as I trust the police and military
could protect them,” the vice mayor said.
Mangudadatu is running for a post long held by the Ampatuans. Datu Unsay
town mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., is reportedly the one eyeing to replace his
father, Andal Sr.
A total of 37 journalists were listed in the attendance sheet passed around by
radio reporter Henry Araneta, among those taken hostage.
The convoy left Buluan town past 9 a.m. but three other newspaper reporters
were left behind as they dropped by a hotel in Tacurong City where the
journalists stayed overnight.
A hotel staff informed the trio that two motorcycle-riding men asked for the
whereabouts of the media. They even tried to get the names of all journalists
covering the scheduled filing of the COC of Mangudadatu. The hotel staff,
however, did not give the names of journalists claiming they didn’t have the
list.
Sensing danger ahead, the three journalists decided not to proceed to Shariff
Aguak.
Early Monday morning, the Inquirer tried to contact the journalists who
travelled with the convoy but they could no longer be reached.
A text message sent back by Bart Maravilla’s mobile phone number even said:
“cnung bart? Ala akong kila2ng ganun ee.”
No one from the Ampatuans could be contacted for reactions.
Even the mobile phone of provincial election supervisor Estelita Orbase at the
provincial capitol could not be contacted.
The massacre happened while Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan of the Autonomous
Region in Muslim Mindanao, and Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan were
reportedly in Manila for an emergency meeting with presidential adviser on
political affairs Gabriel Claudio.
Health workers in Maguindanao said some of them had to go home early to
this city in trying to evade the very volatile situation.
On Monday afternoon, Cotabato City-based reporters dispatched to cover the
hostage-taking had to return to base when told of the hazard waiting at the
scene.
Told to back-off by government security troops were ABS-CBN and GMA
television crew and other print and broadcast journalists.
Loreto Rosario of the Catholic-ran DXMS radio said "the situation is too hot
and we were told to wait for it to cool off."
A correspondent of GMA-Cotabato said he was prevented from taking footage
and “soldiers and civilians told us not to proceed. Delikado raw (It’s
dangerous)."
Lerio Bompat of ABS-CBN said journalists were limited to the Capitol
premises and were advised not to go to the scene of the crime, about 5
kilometers away from the Comelec office.
Vice Mayor Mangudadatu said he had asked the military and police for
security escorts but the request was ignored.
He also appealed to Malacañang to “act and stop the excesses of the
Ampatuans.”
“I’m determined to run no matter what happens. Change must take place in
Maguindanao. I want to save the Bangsamoro people from this kind of
leadership,” the vice mayor said.
Maguindanao massacre death toll climbs to 57
Philippine Daily Inquirer
01:28:00 11/26/2009
AMPATUAN, MAGUINDANAO—A few kilometers off the main highway,
on a remote hilltop covered with waist-high grass, bodies lay with twisted
hands reaching in the air. They had been shot point-blank.
Nearby, cadavers were being laid out under banana leaves on Tuesday as
police—their faces covered against the stench—unearthed a mass grave
containing 22 victims from Monday’s ambush on an election caravan.
The discovery brought the death toll to 46—an unprecedented act of violence
at the outset of the country’s election season. This climbed to 57 on
Wednesday after two more 15-foot deep mass graves yielded 11 bodies.
Chief Supt. Josefino Cataluna, regional police chief, said two of the newly
dug-up bodies were inside two vehicles. Another van was also recovered from
the same grave.
He said the fatalities included more than 20 journalists who were out to cover
the filing of the certificate of candidacy for Maguindanao governor of Buluan
Vice Mayor Esmael Mangudadatu in the May elections. But the exact number
of victims was still unclear three days after the massacre.
“We expect to gather more bodies as our personnel scour the area,” Cataluna
said in a mobile phone interview with the Inquirer.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has declared a state of emergency in the
provinces of Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat and Cotabato City, sending
troop and police reinforcements to put order in the area.
Dozens of gunmen intercepted the caravan as it traveled on a two-lane
highway that cuts across vast open tracts of land and banana groves, police
said. They took some of the people to the grassy area, where the killings
started.
Bullet-riddled bodies
On Tuesday, authorities found 24 bullet-riddled bodies sprawled on the
ground next to five abandoned vehicles.
Police, aided by a backhoe, worked most of Tuesday to extricate the bodies
from the mass grave. All had been shot multiple times and were dumped on
top of one another. One was a pregnant woman.
Grieving relatives helped identify their loved ones before they were given the
bodies, covered by banana leaves, for burial.
Mangudadatu was not in the convoy because he had received death threats. He
said he met with the defense secretary, national police chief and military
commanders to demand justice and the immediate arrest and prosecution of
the killers of his wife, two sisters and other relatives.
He said four witnesses in his protection, whom he refused to identify, told him
the convoy was stopped by gunmen loyal to Andal Ampatuan Jr., a town
mayor and rival, to prevent Mangudadatu’s family from filing election papers.
Massacre planned
“It was really planned because they had already dug a huge hole (for the
bodies),” Mangudadatu said.
He said there were reports from the area that the militia had been blocking the
road for a few days.
Police said they were investigating reports that Mayor Ampatuan and dozens
of policemen and pro-government militiamen were among the gunmen who
blocked the convoy.
Maguindanao’s acting governor is Sajid Ampatuan, another son of former
Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr. The powerful Ampatuans, who have ruled the
impoverished province unopposed since 2001, are expected to run again next
year. The clan could not be reached for comment.
The family helped deliver votes for the Arroyo administration in 2004
elections.
Ampatuan Jr. not yet suspect
Chief Supt. Leonardo Espina, PNP spokesperson, denied reports that Mayor
Andal Ampatuan Jr. of Datu Unsay town in Maguindanao has been tagged as
primary suspect in the murders.
“Investigators are presently documenting all the evidence against persons
purportedly involved in this crime,” Espina said in a news briefing in Camp
Crame, Quezon City.
“We cannot declare anybody as a suspect until we can make the allegations
formal through a written statement from the complainants,” he said.
Philippine National Police Director General Jesus Versoza said that four
commanders, including one provincial police chief, had been relieved of their
duties and confined to camp while being investigated.
Militiamen grounded
Also Wednesday, the Armed Forces of the Philippines ordered the
confiscation of all firearms and uniforms issued to its paramilitary units in
Maguindanao after they were implicated in the massacre.
Lt. Gen. Rodrigo Maclang, AFP vice chief of staff, ordered the grounding of
the units composed of 100 men used as an auxiliary force in fighting rebels
and criminals but often served as a private security force of local warlords.
“We are conducting an investigation as to the involvement of our own men
and we would like to assure the public that this will be carried out impartially
and transparently,” Maclang said.
Julkipli Wadi, a professor of Islamic studies at the University of the
Philippines, said he doubted the national government’s resolve in trimming
the powers of political dynasties like the Ampatuans because they deliver
votes during elections.
“Because of the absence of viable political institutions, powerful men are
taking over,” he said.
“Big political forces and personalities in the national government are
sustaining the warlords, especially during election time, because they rely on
big families for their votes.” With reports from AP, Marlon Ramos, TJ
Burgonio, Edson Tandoc Jr. Cynthia D. Balana, Tina G. Santos and Nico
Alconaba, Dennis Santos and Charlie Senase, Inquirer Mindanao
Defense chief raises flag at Maguindanao capitol
By Marlon Ramos
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 10:58:00 12/07/2009
SHARIFF AGUAK, Maguindanao, Philippines—Defense Secretary Norberto
Gonzales led the flag-raising ceremony at the Maguindanao provincial capitol
on Monday morning to mark the first full day of martial law here, some two
weeks after the November 23 massacre that killed 57 local politicians,
supporters, and journalists. intended beneficiaries as can be gleaned from the still widespread poverty.
Many of the projects go through the ARMM, which is headed by Zaldy
Government offices were declared open under the martial law regime, but no Ampatuan, a son of Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr. Perhaps it is high
civilian officials were around to witness Gonzales and military officials raise time that the donor agencies reviewed the impact of the projects and the
the flag. support they have been pouring into Maguindanao and the ARMM since they
may be unwittingly helping perpetuate warlordism and poverty instead of
At the town hall of the Ampatuan municipality where the slaughter happened, achieving the opposite. The United States has temporarily withdrawn its
the flag was also raised by military troops stationed there and military officers support for projects in Mindanao, a move that is perhaps a little too late but
named Councilor Pendatun Magelna as acting mayor of the agricultural town. still the correct step to undertake given the circumstances. But other donors
have yet to follow suit although they are aware of the human rights abuses and
Gonzales immediately proceeded to the tactical post of the 601st Infantry corruption in the area. If these donors continue pouring support, they are also
Brigade and then to the Maguindanao provincial office to sit in during guilty of propping up despotic rule in the area.
briefings on the latest developments in the province.
(Allen Mariano is the editor in chief of Centro Saka Inc., a nongovernment
Gonzales did not issue any statement to the press. organization involved in policy research and advocacy.)
Foreign journalists set probe of Maguindanao massacre
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo issued Proclamation 1959 on Friday
declaring martial law in Maguindanao to thwart a possible rebellion, after By Katherine Evangelista
receiving information from the military that the Ampatuan political clan, INQUIRER.net 12/03/2009
whose members hold power in the province and at the Autonomous Region in MANILA, Philippines – Representatives of foreign journalist organizations
Muslim Mindanao, has been mobilizing armed supporters to defy government are set to conduct their own investigation into the killings of at least 57
moves to arrest suspects in the Maguindanao massacre. persons – including 31 media practitioners – in Maguindanao province.
Maguindanao Governor Andal Ampatuan Sr. and ARMM Governor Zaldy This was announced by National Union of Journalists of the Philippines
Ampatuan have been taken into military and police custodies while Datu (NUJP) treasurer and Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ)
Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., the primary suspect in the massacre, is research Director Rowena Carranza Paraan in a press briefing on Thursday.
now in the custody of the NBI and has been charged with multiple murders. The team, which will be composed of at least 12 people coming from, among
Beyond the Maguindanao massacre others, the International Federation of Journalists and other Southeast Asian
By Allen Mariano media groups, are set to arrive December 5 (Saturday) and will conduct their
Philippine Daily Inquirer investigation from December 6 to 10, Paraan said.
First Posted 03:47:00 12/16/2009 "They want to understand what happened. Here, media killings may be normal
We condemn in the strongest terms the Maguindanao massacre. The senseless for us but for them, it is outrageous for even one journalist to be killed,"
slaughter and mutilation of unarmed women, journalists, lawyers and even Paraan told reporters.
unborn babies was so shocking that words fail to convey the outrage felt by The media briefing was to report the findings of the fact-finding team formed
those of us who were horrified by the tragedy. by the Freedom Fund for Filipino Journalists (FFFJ) on the Maguindanao
We grieve with the families of the victims. What happened to their kith and Massacre.
kin was so barbaric that we can almost feel their pain and anguish. We are In the same briefing, Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility executive
fervently praying that justice will prevail. director, Melinda Quintos de Jesus, said that they were looking at possibly
The massacre cannot be dismissed as a mere clan war or rido that went out of filing a class suit against the perpetrators of the crime.
hand or even an election-related violence. The rido is governed by rules and "We are looking at all possible legal cases that can be filed as a way of
forbids the harming or killing of women and children. It also does not showing that we will fight," De Jesus said in an interview after the briefing.
victimize parties other than members of the warring clans.
In a separate interview, Paraan said that the individual families of victims
The testimony and evidence gathered so far leave no doubt that the should file individual criminal charges against the suspects.
Ampatuans led the cold-blooded killing of 57 people last Nov. 23. Our
partners in Mindanao said that the Ampatuans are much feared by the ordinary Journalist groups were also considering raising the issue to international
Moros and the Lumads in Maguindanao as they are widely perceived to be organizations like the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, Paraan
capable of getting away with murder. Long before the massacre took place, said.
the Ampatuans were suspected of being involved in unsolved killings in the
However, Paraan clarified that it must be proven that all means of resolving
area. The Ampatuan clan and their cohorts are also allegedly occupying areas
the case locally have been exhausted before international organizations would
vacated by people who were forced to flee because of armed skirmishes. If so,
be allowed to step in.
this practice has contributed in the swelling of the half a million internally
displaced peoples, mostly poor farmers, who no longer have homes to go back "It must be proven that we have exhausted all local remedies otherwise they
to in Maguindanao. Unfortunately, the people are afraid to testify or file cases [international organizations] cannot butt in," Paraan said.
against members of the Ampatuan clan because they do not believe the
government would be able to protect them from reprisal.
The huge mansions of the Ampatuans seem to be reflective of the power they
yield over the predominantly poor people and their humble dwellings.
Surely, the blame for this massacre also falls on the government for
cultivating warlordism. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has been in power
for more than eight years, during which she could have dismantled
warlordism in Mindanao and other places. But instead the President
strengthened the local warlords to deal with the illegitimacy of her rule.
Instead of strengthening democratic institutions and pursuing anti-poverty
measures, the Arroyo administration established civilian volunteer
organizations and other paramilitary groups in 2006 and even issued them
firearms. This contributed to the proliferation of heavily armed private armies
of warlord politicians in Maguindanao and the Autonomous Region in
Muslim Mindanao. It also left the province as the second poorest in the
country.
Government’s handling of the incident is being closely monitored. If it allows
the perpetrators to escape harsh punishment, it will weaken the people’s
already fragile trust in supposedly democratic institutions. Especially because
the evidence shows that the assailants were part of the political machinery
backed by the Arroyo administration.
The ghastly incident should spark thorough going reforms in the region. More
than merely disarming the private armies, the national government sorely
needs to foster genuine participation by the marginalized sectors in
governance. In addition, government needs to initiate programs and policies to
empower the poor by instituting anti-poverty measures such as asset reform so
that the poor would no longer be dependent on the handouts of politicians and
local warlords. More importantly, government needs to restore and strengthen
rural democratic institutions because these are the weakest link in governance
in the region. These institutions include the unprotected people’s
organizations. Of course, the private sector and civil society also have roles to
play in the development of the region especially because multi-sectoral
development initiatives that involve the beneficiaries have proven to be
successful. If the government pursues genuine development and peace
initiatives in the region, the ordinary Moro and Lumad would finally be able
to pursue economic and governance activities without fearing for their lives.
Lastly, a lot of donor agencies are supporting projects in Maguindanao and
other areas in Mindanao. Yet the improvements do not seem to reach the