Today, widows of slain journalists in the Ampatuan Maguindanao massacre filed their opposition to Maj. Gen. Alfredo Cayton’s promotion as Vice-Commander of the Philippine Army with the Commission on Appointments.
Those who trooped to the Senate, where the CA deliberations were being held, were the widows and family members of the following slain journalists: Alejandro Reblando, Joel Parcon, McDelbert Arriola, Julito Evardo, Bienvenido Legarta, Lindo Lupogan, Robert Momay, Victor Nunez, Napoleon Salaysay, and Daniel Tianzon Cayton, then commander of the 6th Infantry, denied the request of Buluan vice mayor Toto Mangudadatu for security escorts in his filing of the certificate of candidacy last Nov. 23. That refusal enabled the Ampatuans to massacre at least 57 persons, 30 of them journalists.
Cayton was relieved of his post after the massacre, which happened a stone’s throw away from a military detachment. But he was promoted to Philippine Army vice commander. The widows are appalled.
“He could not deny the urgency of the situation that called for just that. He could not disclaim direct responsibility by saying it was a police matter he cannot concern himself with. If it were a simple police matter, he ought to have formally referred it to his police counterparts, making representations that the Army would be ready to augment police forces if the situation called for it, or even proposing to field a joint security operation, which would have been the more appropriate response to the request by the Mangundadatu convoy, assuming it was true that the Army did not have enough men for the purpose. But Maj. Gen. Cayton did not. He self-assuredly sat on the fence like a fattened cat and waited for the massacre to happen, ” they said.
The widows further argued that Cayton’s inaction was tantamount to complicity which should make him equally responsible for the massacre. They also noted that Cayton should additionally be held responsible on the basis of command responsibility since as the local Army commander in the area, he knew that the massacre will happen and despite this, he failed to take steps to prevent the same.
“Its high time that we implement the concept of command responsibility to hold military commanders in war torn areas responsible for the commission of crimes against humanity in their area of jurisdiction. The intent of the law is to hold them directly responsible for these acts as it is their obligation to be fully aware of what is happening in their area of jurisdiction”, declared Prof. Harry Roque of Centerlaw, counsel for the widows of the slain journalists.
***
There is another front in the Maguindanao massacre that journalists are waging a fight for them to be able to inform the public of the dvelopments of this case that have put the Philippines as the most dangerous place for journalists, beating war-torn Iraq for that ignonimous reputation.
The November 23 Movement, the loose coalition of media organizations calling for justice to the 30 journalists and 27 other innocent civilians who were abducted, slaughtered and hastily buried in mass graves in Ampatuan, Maguindanao , has issued a statement appealing for the lifting of media restrictions in the trial of the Ampatuans, the primary suspects.
The N23 statement: “We view with concern the continued refusal by the court presided by Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes to allow live coverage of the Ampatuan trial. We are also concerned about the restrictions imposed by the court and the Philippine National Police on journalists covering the proceedings.
“While we respect the view that a trial by publicity can be detrimental to the accused, we fail to see how that can happen in this case. The Ampatuan case is extremely important for the public, the media and the relatives of the victims. The media and the public — particularly those who live outside Metro Manila and who can only follow the proceedings through the — need to know exactly what is going on inside the courtroom.
“As though it wasn’t enough to ban live coverage, the court and the PNP have likewise restricted the way journalists cover the trial. They disallowed the use of mobile phones, laptops and recording devices inside the courtroom and have also limited the number of journalists who can get inside. Needless to say, these hamper how journalists perform their tasks.
“We concede that the court has to abide by some rules during the course of a trial. But restrictions in the Ampatuan trial are, at best, unreasonable and, at worst, a violation of press freedom and the public’s right to know.
“At a time when the Philippine press is under assault like never before, these restrictions are the last thing we need.”
Re: The widows further argued that Cayton’s inaction was tantamount to complicity which should make him equally responsible for the massacre. They also noted that Cayton should additionally be held responsible on the basis of command responsibility since as the local Army commander in the area, he knew that the massacre will happen and despite this, he failed to take steps to prevent the same.
Nasa bulsa kasi ng Ampatuans o takot sa Ampatuans dahil alam niya na bestfriend ni Gloria ang mga murderers?!
Because of his inaction to prevent the massacre, Gloria promoted him. Anak ng puta!
The promotion of Cayton and heralding it under the circumstances is really so indelicate it makes one wonders whether dwende has gone truly lunatic.
Moreover, it did the AFP no favours particularly at a time when the AFP is suffering from the absence of credibility.
By acting in this fashion, dwende showed contempt for the families of the innocent victims.
Anna:
They should drop it. First, I don’t even think that he’s appointment as the PA’s ‘spare tire’ needs to go thru confirmation. Only promotions to Colonel, star/flag ranks and the CS position need to go through the wringer. Second, the position is a spare tire as I’ve said. Nobody wants that position. One will get bored to death signing DFs all day. Third, Cayton is due for retirement in a few months kaya doon na lang siya inilagay as PA Vice Commander. Kung ako tanungin, parusa pa nga yun. Buti pang ifloating ka na lang. Papasyal-pasyal at pa golf-golf na lang siya at antayin yung retirement day nya kesa ilagay ka sa opisina at tambakan ng paperwork though very ministerial. Wala syang command, so they need not fret. Freezer assignment yan, ika nga. Ang mga deputy, recommend approve/disapprove lang ang papel sa command. Di na nga napapansin yan kung tutuusin. Let him be. . .Naipit lang yung mama sa nag-uumpugang bato during that time. Malas nga lang nya.
Sabagay, you’re right — but you see Henry, to the victims’ families, they see Cayton’s “rise” to position of Vice Com as an undeserved promotion. I’d said earlier on, they shouldn’t have heralded his promotion. Civilians don’t always equate promotions to freezer or closet positions.
I knew Cayton — he was neither good nor bad, heh! (not quite the most flattering description for a military officer)… 🙂
Just so our fellow commenters know, with regard to going through the CA wringer… If Cayton is not due for another star, he need not go through CA.
His rise to position of Vice Com PA does not necessarily mean that he is due to receive another star, hence, no additional star, no CA.
(If he’s already confirmed maj gen, i.e., prior to this Vice Com post, I don’t think he’ll be awarded another star or rank of lt gen; and since lt gen rank goes to CG PA position, I doubt he’ll be given that rank too — so agree with Henry, no CA here in the offing. Ellen should warn the widows that they will be barking up the wrong tree if they picket CA.)
What they can do or should do is to ask that the man be fired but is it worth it? If the man gets fired, he will lose his right to a great portion of his pension.
Anyway, having been relieved of his position — at his level, believe me, is a terrible punishment.
Well, somebody has to tell them that, I guess. Sayang lang ang energy at effort nila. At least doon, Cayton has to work to earn his keep. Unlike if he’s floating, he continues to receive his pay and allowances while doing nothing. Ang sarap naman nang ganun. hehehe
Anna:
Let me add a liitle more para maintindihan ng ibang bloggers. There are two types of promotion in the military. Promotion in rank and promotion in billet(position). You have correctly pointed out that his promotion in billet as the PA Vice Com needs no oonfirmation because only promotions in rank, Colonel and up and the APPOINTMENT CSAFP, need to be confirmed
appointment to the position of CS,AFP
Kasama pa nga yata sa confirmation ang mga positions ng Major service commanders Anna, if my memory serves me right. Magkaganun pa man, Cayton’s position still does not require confirmation.
Right on, Henry…
Ooops, bit of precision re what I wrote earlier on:
Anyway, having been relieved of his COMMAND — at his level, believe me, is a terrible punishment.
Henry,
Kasama pa nga yata sa confirmation ang mga positions ng Major service commanders Anna, if my memory serves me right.
Only because major service command position goes automatically with promotion in rank, hence automatically requires CA nod.
And of course inasmuch as CSAFP entails [the only] 4 stars, the fellow needs CA nod too.
But if Cayton was a BGen prior to being “elevated” to Vice Com position, I bet he would be awarded a rise in rank, i.e., 2 stars. Had that been the case, he would have been tabled to be heard by the CA but as it is, his being major general already (and a few months prior to retirement to boot), doubt very much he would be promoted in rank, i.e., lieutenant general — as I said, there’s one already, the CG himself so doubt very much they’d have two LtGens there.
Naku, baligtad… Hay, naman… what I meant:
“Only because promotion in rank goes automatically with major service command position, hence automatically requires CA nod.”
baligtad na talga mundo ngayon. Ang mga murderer, VIP treatment. Ang mga nagsabi ng totoo, tanggal sa posisyon. Ang naglalabas ng katotohanan, kinakasuhan. Ang mga protector ng kriminal, napo-promote! Only in d pilipins!
The massacre was a police matter. The military only supported the massacre with arms, ammo, and confidence.
that’s gma’s trademark of injustice , gma rewards murderers and punish the victims, gma is afraid of her generals and she is under the control of her corrupt gang of thieves, she listens to her hundreds of lapdogs while ignoring legitimate grievances of 90 million filipinos, judgement day for gma is fast approaching,gma’s illegal ,immoral, corrupt, oppressive and criminal regime will be judged by the people accordingly and given punishment they deserve
maguindanao hearings must be televised for the interest of the victims relatives, the public at large and the nation in particular. the interest of the filipino people is always much much greater than the interest of the accused
If only Cayton extend an ounce of prevention by giving into the request, the massacre would have been prevented. And by not doing his duty to keep the peace, he is being promoted.
A blast from the past, Hello Garci generals were also promoted for doing a job outside their mandated duty as protector of the people and the constitution – help gloria cheat her way into the presidency.
At least Gloria is being fair and consistent in treating her soldiers but at the expense of the victims.
what will happen when justice is bended to favor criminals and further victimize the victims, when gov’t bureaucracy is grossly corrupted, when the time treasured values like morality, delicadeza, honesty, honor, righteousness, truth and justice were erased in the nations conscience?
a nation like this misgoverned by a fake president is heading towards anarchy and doom , unless a new president like Noynoy takes over the presidency
siyam na taong naglalaro sa apoy si gloria at nakakalusot siya, ngayon ay susubukan niyang maglaro ng bomba , pero ngayon siguradong masasabugan siya
Maiba tayo…
Atty. Fortun claimed that his client, Andal Ampatuan, Jr., is conversant neither in Filipino nor in English. That claim was made during Ampatuan’s arraignment.
Napanood ko sa TVPatrol kagabi si Ampatuan habang iniinterbyu- kagaling managalog, e.
That claim, then, was false. Can Atty. Fortun be declared in contempt of court?
Aha, Atty Fortun pala ang pangalan ng defence lawyer nila.
Fortun didn’t have to accept this job. Perhaps, he needed the huge amount that the Ampatuans must be paying for his services?
Ka Enchong, do you have the link?
first of all,my uncle is not a criminal.second, there’s a law stating that the military should not meddle into comelec-related matters.trabaho yun ng pnp.i have a copy of the document stating that if anyone’s interested.therefore my uncle cannot send additional security to the mangundadatus, who have their own private armies din naman so why do they need more guards???and besides,nagkataon na he was deploying troops to another location on the same day kaya wala talagang mapapadala.alamin nyo muna ang totoong storya behind the scenes bago kayo magsalita.having been relieved of his position in maguindano is punishment enough kasi hindi naman nya kasalananan yung nangyari.
Anna,
Try these links:
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/12/18/09/ampatuan-jr-waives-right-answer-murder-raps
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/01/05/10/maguindanao-massacre-suspect-arrives-camp-crame
If you can still remember the Lamitan incident, the AFP Inspector General leaked to media his report on Villanueva’s blocking of now Tanay-detained Col. Narcise’s request for reinforcement troops to a Maj. Lucero of the nearest camp. Villanueva interfered and instead promised Counter-Terrorist Forces in two hours. Which came late by ten hours. They still bombarded and flattened the complex even as the Abu Sayyaf top brass – Khadafy Janjalani, Isnilon Hapilon, Abu Sabaya, and Abu Sulayman – with their 30 or so troops and their hostages were long gone.
But the blame was deflected by Lucero to BGen Dominguez who was earlier seen by Fr. Nacorda’s parishioners with a bag full of cash.
Dominguez had no choice but to admit giving the order to Lucero to deny the request. But again he implicated Villanueva and also LtGen Camiling.
Instead of punishing Villanueva who has offered (threatened?) GMA to relieve him and Dominguez to be charged, Gloria instead sacked the Inspector Gen, promoted Dominguez to MGen and Villanueva retired without any problem and later named PostGen of PhilPost where he was duped by a scamming Brit company for $1M. The Inspector Gen was transferred to Mindanao, and guess under whose command? Dominguez!
Only in the Ass-Fucked Philippines!
Gloria Arroyo is a fucked up schizobitch talaga!
She signs whatever promotions Tandang Edong puts on her desk. Does she even fast read the events surrounding her pet AFP officials? Ahhh…useless asking questions!
For an officer and gentlemen, he should decline the new star should already get out of the service and let this infamy decides if he is the hero or the culprit according to the widows. Without such fateful decision, there would not have been a massacre and the Ampatuans and those with private armies shall rule for the rest of our history and forever more.
Out of delicadeza, MGen Cayton should’ve not accepted that promotion/post. Nakakahiya siya.
Maliwanag na hinayaan niyang mangyari ang masaker. Imposibleng walang intelligence report na nakarating sa kanya? Pati na rin sa PNP Provincial Director?
Lumalabas ngang sila ay nasa bulsa ng mga Ampatuan.
Bakit nga hindi sila papayag, eh kung si Lola nga bespren ng mga demonyong ‘yun, eh.
Napansin ba ninyo yung reply ng pamangkin aw ni Cayton sa itaas?
Mr. Cayton (comment #26), lahat ng tao sa Maguindanao, ultimo butiki sa pader ng Kapitolyo, alam na may madugong mangyayari sakaling magtagpo ang pamilya Ampatuan at Mangudadatu simula ng magdeklara si Datu Toto M. na lalaban siya sa pagka-Gobernador sa halalan.
Kahit akong nandito sa Pasay at ni minsa’y hindi napatapak man lang sa Maguidanao ay alam yan, yung tiyuhin mo lang yata ang walang alam. Dapat pala ay i-demote pa yang walang silbi mong tiyuhin.
Kung matiyaga kang maghanap dito sa blog ni Ellen tungkol sa post ko about mga royal families ng ARMM at yung sa asawa ni Noliboy, nabanggit ko na ang hidwaang iyan ilang buwan bago nangyari ang massacre.
Kaya nga nasa Malacañang si Zaldy Ampatuan at Andal Sr. ay dahil sa problema nila sa mga Mangudadatu at yung pilit nilang pagsakop sa ilang bayan sa Sultan Kudarat na gustong isama sa poder ng ARMM samantalang 90% ng populasyon ay Katoliko.
Baka hindi rin yan alam ng tiyuhiun mo. Paki text mo na lang.
Makasabad nga dine. Ito ay para na rin kay Mr. Cayton, ang pamangkin ng kinauukulan.
MGen Cayton, being the most senior military commander in the area next to LtGen Ferrer could have prevented the carnage kung nagpadala siya ng kahit ilang sundalo lang upang bigyang seguridad ang grupo ng Mangudadatu, as requested. O, kaya ay nagbigay ng augmentation route security/check point along kung saan dadaan ang mga naging biktima. Soldiers even a handful to provide that requested security lalo at monitored ng Division Hqs would have served as deterrent at magdadalawang isip ang grupo ni Datu Unsay na ituloy ang kanilang maitim na balak.
Palusot na lamang ‘yung merong ibang deployment ang tropa.
Isa pa, nobody here accused MGen Cayton as a criminal. Ang pagkakamali niya ay napasabit siya sa kontrobersiya sa panahon ng pinakakontrobersyal na puta, este panggulo.
Iho, I have a high respect sa uncle mo. Kahit itanong mo sa isa mong tiyuhin, si Manny Cayton, dati kong kasamahan sa Jolo when he was a captain.
Tandaan mo rin, iho, for every rule there is an exemption more so if it involves protection of MOST PRECIOUS human lives. Every disposal of responsibility in every commander’s own discretion.
Isa pa, soldiers are receiving their pay and allowances from the taxes paid by the people, kaya marapat lamang na bigyan sila ng proteksiyon maging ito ay lumalabas na paglabag sa isang kasunduan sa pagitan ng mga ahensiya kung may ulat na pagbabanta at lalo’t higit kung ang mga nakakataas (katulad ni gloria) ay walang tunay na mandato ng taong bayan.
Every disposal of responsibility IS every commander’s own discretion.
Masakit sa damdamin ng sino mang kaanak ng katulad ni MGen Cayton ang makasagap at makabasa ng mga tuligsa subalit mas masakit sa kalooban ng mga naulila ang kanyang naging pagwawalambahala upang bigyang seguridad ang mga Mangudadatu.
Sa palagay mo kaya, iho, kung may mga sundalong kasama o kung talagang walang maipadala ay binigyang babala niya ang mga Ampatuan na kapag may nangyaring masama sa mga Mangudadatu ay sila ang mananagot (batay sa intelligence report na imposibleng wala), magaganap kaya ang karumaldumal na masaker na ‘yun na ikinadamay pa ang mga walang kinalaman?
Kung matatandaan ninyo, si MGen Cayton ang camp commander ng GHQ noong pasukin ang bahay nina Major Aquino at matapos ‘yun ay napalipat siya (Cayton) ng walang linaw kung ano ang kanyang ginawang aksiyon sa insidenteng ‘yun.
Meron ba’ng pinapanagot o ibinaon na lamang sa limot?
Tongue, re #28:”If you can still remember the Lamitan incident, the AFP Inspector General leaked to media his report on Villanueva’s blocking of now Tanay-detained Col. Narcise’s request for reinforcement troops…”
It was Capt. Ruben “Gino” Guinolbay, not Col. Narcise.
Capt. Guinolbay has been cleared and released. I think he will be assigned in Panay.
Ellen, I got that from my old archive lifted from the joint probe by Finland’s Helsingin Sanomat and NY Time’s Boston Globe.
Not to take away anything from FSRR’s Gino Guinolbay’s heroism, I think Narcise was the most senior officer on the scene before Dominguez arrived (with the cash).
I checked if the webpage is still available. It’s still here:
http://web.archive.org/web/20020214214344/http://www.helsinki-hs.net/news.asp?idhttp://www.ellentordesillas.com/?p=9073=20020205IE2
Sorry, a glitch inserted this page address. The correct link:
http://web.archive.org/web/20020214214344/http://www.helsinki-hs.net/news.asp?id=20020205IE2
Further, on the innocence of MGen Cayton:
Kanino nanggaling ang intel? Dumiretso sa Malacañang na hindi alam ni Cayton? Ay, wala ngang silbi.
Naniniwala akong biktima din si MGen Cayton sa pangyayaring ito.
Biktima siya ng sarili niyang pagwawalang bahalaat kapabayaan.
Re # 39. Oh Yes. Col. Narcise. I remember him.
hi, i’m not in favor to any of the parties involved. let me give sumthing to think of.
if i am correct there was a treaty in mindanao that prohibits military forces to act as a body guard or a support to anyone who will run as a politician in there respective provinces, therefore when the incident happened, the army was unable to move or help the said people.
masakit mang tanggapin yun ang pinag kasunduan ng mga tao o pulitiko doon, i think i PNP should explain this thing, but i’m not blaming anyone even the PNP because no one expected that thing to happen
to my fellow journalists i’m really upset to what had happened, i’m a photo journalist in our school and we condemn those people who are suspected for the crime.
sometimes we should not blame people to what happened in those kind of things (especially the Massacre), yeah they should be blamed but do you think it is really needed? what about their families? what if we change the situation the other way around. you are the force and they are the victims, what would you feel? is it your fault? which will you follow the Law or the voice of those people who needs help?
let us open our minds to all the situation.. byeeee
“……because no one expected that thing to happen..”- neutral
Ano kamo? Imposible ang sinasabi mo, kaibigan. The Mangudadatus requested MG Cayton for security because of threats from the Ampatuans, yet you are saying no expected?
Pambihira ka. Hindi ka neutral kundi mas panig sa mga kriminal.
Halimbawang isa sa mga kaanak mo, kaibigan o kakilala kaya ang napasama sa masaker na ‘yun na kaya ganu’n kadami ang sumama ay upang magdalawang isip ang mga Ampatuan na sila ay saktan kundi man patayin, tapos nangyari na nga, are you still saying hindi mo iniisip o inaakalang gagawin at mangyayari ‘yung pagpaslang sa kanila?
Kaibigan, ang kriminal ay walang pagdadalawang isip sa pagsasagawa ng kanyang mga nakasanayan lalo’t ang pakiramdam ay sila ang diyos sa kanilang lugar.
You are the one sho should open your mind in that kind of situation.
Bago ka magsalita ng ganyan, subukan mong i-expose muna ang sarili mo sa lugar ng mga bandido at kriminal. Pumunta ka kung saan magulo at may bakbakan at umisip ka ng paraan kung paano mo pangangalagaan ang sarili habang pinag-aaralan ang mga tao sa iyong paligid.
neutral, journalist ka ‘ikamo? Ano’ng uri? Ano’ng klase?