It’s interesting how the Ampatuan clan’s political fortunes seem to be turning full circle—and how political camps that now call them “monsters” seem to have conveniently forgotten that they had something to do with how these “monsters” were bred to begin with.
Liberal Party presidential bet Aquino, sure that violence in Maguindanao would escalate due to “this administration’s inaction,” is demanding the suspension of Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. and other local officials found involved in the November 23 massacre of civilians.
Note from Fr. Eliseo “Jun” Mercado:
Datu Andal Sr. was the henchman of Marcos in Maganoy in 1986.. He also was de facto mayor… acting since he was the vice mayor and already appointed as OIC.
Cory removed him from Office!!! I was a witness to that!
The Chief of Police, another Ampatuan yet non political and decent by the name of Datu Mod Ampatuan was appointed by Cory as OIC! I was the one who recommemnded for Datu Modi. He is an Ampatuan so he could maintain order and rule of law being the modest and clean chief of police in the place.
But in the first election post Cory, Datu Andal, Sr was back in power… since he was and still is the undisputed power in Maganoy.
I was the parish priest of Maganoy at the time and NAMFREL chair of the Province.
We don’t know if the senator realizes that he is in effect calling on the Arroyo government to undo an action by his mother’s administration.
By ROMEL REGALADO BAGARES GENERAL SANTOS CITY.—Sixty-nine-year-old Maura Montaño seethed with anger when she was asked what she thought of the men—no, the monsters—who did…
VERA Files photojournalist Mario Ignacio took the following photos of Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. as he underwent medical examination at his holiding cell…
By ROMEL REGALADO BAGARES KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato.–What is now known here as the Ampatuan massacre has wiped out the staff of the five-year-old pioneering…
Managot daw ang may kagagawan, sabi ng Malacañang sa nangyari sa Maguindanao kung saan mga 40 na tao ang pinatay dahil sa pulitika.
Pinagpapatay ng mga isang daan daw na armadong lalaki ang asawa, kapatid, kamaganak, mga tag-suporta ni Vice mayor Esmael Magungudatu ng bayan ng Buluan na mag-file ng certificate of candidacy sa bayan ng Ampatuan sa Maguindanao.
Ang mga babae daw ay ginahasa bago pinagpapatay. Kasama sa pinatay ay ang mga 13 na mamamahayag na magku-cover sana pag-file na certificate of candidacy.
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and members of the international community have condemned Monday’s massacre in Maguindanao, which left at least 46 civilians, including a…
The election-related massacre of at least a dozen journalists in Maguindanao province on Monday is among the deadliest single events recorded for the press worldwide.…
Sorrsogon Rep. Salvador “Sonny” Escudero said when he talked with his senator-son Chiz the first hour of Tuesday, he (Chiz) was not yet decided on his political plans.
As he was going out of the church yesterday morning, “6:47 a.m., to be exact”, he got a text from Chiz: “Tatay, I will not run.”
Congressman Escudero said he is happy with his son’s decision. He believes that the political system in the country is not yet ready for an independent candidate for president.
“He is taking the honorable path and I’m proud of him,” he said.
President Arroyo yesterday placed the provinces of Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat and Cotabato City under a state of emergency following Monday’s massacre of around 40 family members of the Mangudadatu clan, their supporters and media men by around 100 armed men believed to be supporters of the Ampatuan clan in Ampatuan town, Maguindanao province.
The state of emergency gives military and police wide powers of arrest and detention.
Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said Proclamation Order No. 1946 was issued upon the recommendation of the Cabinet security cluster during the National Economic and Development Authority-National Anti-Poverty Commission Cabinet meeting in Malacañang.
Statement of Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV
It was a very sad day for our country yesterday. Forty people were reportedly abducted and killed in broad daylight allegedly by the security men of political warlords in Maguindanao with the possible involvement of some local law enforcement units.
The news may come as a shock for some but the truth is the brutal massacre merely highlighted what has been going on in many parts of our country all these years. This is ‘political warlordism’ at its worst! To make matters worse, the AFP/PNP are either accomplices, silents partners or helpless onlookers in these occurrences either by choice or through pressure from superiors. Often, the AFP/PNP area commanders are pressured or bribed by local politicians into issuing firearms for the latter ostensibly for security purposes but actually ends up being used for kidnapping, robbery, harassment/coercion, tribal wars and, in this case, a massacre of political foes. In an incident in 2001, then Col. Narcise, a newly assigned brigade commander in Basilan, recalled the government issued firearms of then Gov. Wahab Akbar but after a few days Col. Narcise was directed by then DND Sec. Reyes to return the said firearms to Akbar. The late Governor was a political ally of GMA and a personal friend of Reyes. Afterwards, Col. Narcise was unceremoniously relieved from his post by Reyes at the request of Akbar. Similar situations are happening in Maguindanao and other strife torn areas throughout the country.
That said, I will be filing a resolution on Monday calling for a Senate investigation on the Maguindanao massacre to find out the circumstances that led to this gruesome crime with a particular focus on the possible involvement/negligence of the AFP/PNP. Also, it intends to extract how many firearms have actually been issued by the AFP/PNP to all local officials not only in Maguindanao but all over the country with the end in view of recalling such firearms. Earlier, I have also filed a Gun Control Bill that intends to curb the proliferation of loose firearms. The bottom line is: WE HAVE TO GET THESE GUNS!
Now, this is just the first step. Ultimately, only an aggressive political/governance reform and development agenda can restore peace, progress and democracy in these areas. Let’s just hope Noynoy (or whoever will be the next president) has one.
“The state of emergency shall remain in force and effect until lifted or withdrawn by the President,” Remonde said.
Chiz and wife Christine after his decision not to runNapagpasyahan ko, na hindi tumakbo bilang pangulo sa darating na halalan.
I’ve always said that for me, it’s the presidency but not at all cost. Not at the cost of losing my soul, not at the cost of losing myself, not at the cost by being eaten up by the system and the process and certainly not at the cost of not being able to do the things that I was and set out to do.
This morning Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero announced his decision not to run for any elective position in the 2010 elections. Following is his speech delivered in a press conference at
Club Filipino.
