Maguindanao massacre – Page 5

Bawal magsabi ng totoo

Published by Ellen on December 19, 2009

Kung kailan nagsabi ng totoo itong si Lorelei Fajardo, saka siya natigbak.

Ayun sa balita, tinanggal si Fajardo dahil sa kanyang sinabi noong, Nov. 25, tatlong araw pagkatapos nangyari ang karumal-dumal na krimen sa Maguindanao kung saan 57 na tao ang namatay sa masaker na ang suspetsa ay kagagawan ng pamilyang Ampatuan.

Ito kasi ang sinabi ni Fajardo: “I don’t think the President’s friendship with the Ampatuans will be severed. Just because they’re in this situation doesn’t mean we will already turn our backs on them.” ( Sa isip ko, hindi masisira ang pagkakaibigan ng Pangulo sa mga Ampatuan. Porke’t nalagay sila sa ganitong sitwasyun, ay tatalikuran na sila.”)

Ampatuan Jr. harrassed at DOJ preliminary hearing

Published by Ellen on December 18, 2009

Related stories from ABS-CBN: I killed hundreds for Ampatuans – ex-child assassin

Ampatuan Jr waves right to answer murder charges

From ABS-CBN:

Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. was harassed by a handful of Filipino journalists when he arrived Friday afternoon at the Department of Justice (DOJ) for the preliminary investigation into the mass murder of 57 people in Maguindanao province last month.

Ampatuan Jr. arrived shortly before 1:30 p.m. at the DOJ compound on board a bulletproof van. He came out of the van handcuffed and clad in a bulletproof vest.

Before Ampatuan Jr. entered the DOJ building, he was harassed by some members of the National Press Club (NPC). The journalists were holding several pictures of the bodies taken from the massacre site in Ampatuan town.

Marlon Purificacion, a reporter of People’s Journal, threw pictures into Ampatuan Jr.’s face. The journalist said their protest is a show of support and sympathy for the 57 families of the massacre victims, which includes 30 journalists.

Ampatuan Jr. has been charged with 25 counts of murder for the massacre. Several witnesses have testified he took part in the killings.

Woman to hear Ampatuan trial

Published by Ellen on December 18, 2009

Senators urge SC to protect Reyes

Refuses PNP security; ‘It’s just another case’

by Angela Lopez de Leon
Malaya

The multiple murder case against Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. will be heard by Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes of Quezon City RTC Branch 221.

The case was re-raffled yesterday after QC RTC Judge Luisito Cortez filed a notice for inhibition Tuesday, citing heavy case load and concerns for the safety of his family, among others.

The re-raffle was presided by acting Executive Judge Fernando Sagun.

RP fuels record death toll of journalists worldwide

Published by Ellen on December 17, 2009

2009 is the deadliest year for journalists worldwide, with the election-related massacre of 31 journalists and media workers in the Nov. 23 Maguindanao massacre fuelling…

Talim

Published by Ellen on December 15, 2009

The Center for International Law (CenterLaw) and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) led yesterday the launching of a broad united legal front to press for justice for the victims Ampatuan massacre and to counter a perceived whitewash in the multiple murder cases against the suspects now being handled by the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Called the Tactical Alliance of Lawyers Against Impunity in Maguindanao (TALIM), the coalition also noted with trepidation moves by some politicians to offer legal assistance to victims’ families.

Organizers of TALIM (literally, a knife’s sharp edge in English) said they seek to put a stop to the current overlapping and incoherent efforts to assist the victims’ families in their quest for justice.

Capitol of second poorest province has jacuzzi

Published by Ellen on December 13, 2009

Here are two articles by Carol Arquillas of Mindanews:

Capitol of second poorest province has jacuzzi

The way to the office of the governor of the country's 2nd poorest province. By Mindanews

SHARIFF AGUAK, Maguindanao – The Office of the Provincial Governor of the country’s second poorest province on the third floor of this peach and pink palatial building with an “ala CCP” driveway that leads to the second floor, has three living room sets, a conference table for 16, a huge executive desk with a leather swivel for the governor and leather chairs for guests, a toilet exclusively for the governor’s use, a center table for flowers and a door that leads to a room with a bed (and a refrigerator with several bottles of softdrinks), that leads to an alley where you can find to your left, a bathroom with a Jacuzzi whirlpool tub.

Click here (Mindanews) for the rest of the article and more photos.

The Ampatuans’ mansions and millions””We have vast landholdings”, says daughter

SHARIFF AGUAK, Maguindanao (MindaNews/11 December) – The man who owns the mansion on the right side of the highway from Cotabato City, that one with the mosque, is the governor of the country’s second poorest province while the man who owns the mansion on the left side is his son, the governor of the country’s poorest region.

VERA Files Video: Baraybar’s initial observations on Maguindanao massacre

Published by Ellen on December 12, 2009

Peruvian forensic anthropologist Jose Pablo Baraybar on Wednesday briefed the Foreign Overseas Correspondents Association of the Philippines on his initial findings on the Nov. 23…

Santiago hits, Locsin defends martial law

Published by Ellen on December 11, 2009

by Carmela Fonbuena,
abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak

Biazon slams Devanadera for poor defense

An apparent debate between Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago and Makati City Rep. Teodoro Locsin on martial law in Maguindanao stood out in the second day of Congress’ joint session.

Santiago opposed while Locsin defended Proclamation 1959 declaring martial law and suspending the writ of habeas corpus in Maguindanao.

“It is not without irony that I stand here defending martial law. But I do defend it. Nowhere and at no time has martial law been justified nor based more sufficiently or incontrovertible facts…. Look at the bodies. Look at the arms stockpiles,” Locsin told the plenary.

Congress holds joint session on 1959

Published by Ellen on December 10, 2009

by VERA Files

Congress convened Wednesday its historic joint session to discuss the declaration of martial law in Maguindanao following the Nov. 23 massacre that left 57 people dead, including 30 journalists, in the country’s worst election-related violence.

Legislators grilled Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera, Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno and Philippine National Police Chief Jesus Versoza on the basis for Proclamation 1959 signed by President Gloria Arroyo last week.

The joint session, which started shortly after 4 p.m., lasted six hours. Outside Congress, opponents of martial law held a rally urging the revocation of Proclamation 1959.

Click here for VERA Files photojournalist Mario Ignacio’s photos.

“Where is the President?”
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Lawmakers Wednesday cited the glaring absence of the commander in chief, who declared martial law in Maguindanao province, during the first joint session of Congress.

Day of mourning, indignation

Published by Ellen on December 10, 2009

by VERA Files

Never again to martial law. Justice for the victims of Maguindanao massacre. Stop killing journalists.

These were the resounding messages in Wednesday’s media-led indignation rally at the Chino Roces (formerly Mendiola) Bridge held to demand justice for victims of the Nov. 23 massacre in Maguindanao and protest the imposition of martial rule in the province.

Black was the color of the day. Participants from different sectors mostly wore black clothes and arm bands to assail the attacks on the media, rule of law, and accountability.

VERA Files photojournalist Mario Ignacio and trustee Chit Estella share their photos:

Click here (VERA Files).

A portion of the statement by the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility:

Tag: Maguindanao massacre