http://www.vsointernational.org/news/19 ... l-massacre
Almost 60 dead in Philippines 'political' massacre
25/11/2009
Almost 60 people have been murdered in the Philippines in what is believed to be an attack motivated by politics.
The 57 individuals, whose bodies were found buried in mass graves in Ampatuan town, Maguindanao, were on their way to file nomination papers for the country's forthcoming elections.
Among those that were discovered in the graves were the wife and two sisters of the political candidate Ismael Mangudadatu.
Of the dead, 18 were journalists or media workers, making the Philippines the most dangerous place on earth for reporters, according to the International Federation of Journalists.
"This is a supreme act of inhumanity that is a blight on our nation," stated current president of the Philippines Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. "The perpetrators will not escape justice. The law will haunt them until they are caught."
The next Philippine general elections are set to take place on May 10th 2010.
MARTIAL LAW DECLARED DUE TO MAGUINDANAO MASSACRE
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oaba09
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MARTIAL LAW DECLARED DUE TO MAGUINDANAO MASSACRE
Last edited by oaba09 on Sat Dec 05, 2009 4:12 am, edited 2 times in total.
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oaba09
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Other motorists among Maguindanao massacre dead: police
SANIAG - Passing motorists who had nothing to do with a political dispute were likely among 57 people killed when gunmen opened fire on a convoy of cars in the southern Philippines, police said Wednesday.
The gunmen, allegedly hired by a local politician who wanted to eliminate a challenge from a rival, stopped a convoy of six vehicles on Monday and shot the passengers from close range, according to police.
The passengers were aides and relatives of the rival politician, plus a group of journalists.
Five of the convoy's blood-spattered and bullet-riddled vehicles were found on Monday alongside an unpaved farm road near many of the bodies, said Chief Superintendent Felicisimo Khu, the top police forensics official on the scene.
The final car was also found close by on Wednesday in a hastily dug grave alongside 11 freshly discovered bodies, Khu said.
But police also unearthed a sedan and a second van, neither of which was part of the convoy and which were owned by residents of the area who had no affiliation to the politicians or journalists, according to Khu.
"The car and the second van were not part of the convoy," Khu said. "They just happened to drive past."
He said relatives of the two vehicles' owners were waiting outside police lines to claim their kin, who were presumed to have been killed.
But Khu could not say exactly how many people who had been in those cars had been killed.
Other motorists among Maguindanao massacre dead: police
SANIAG - Passing motorists who had nothing to do with a political dispute were likely among 57 people killed when gunmen opened fire on a convoy of cars in the southern Philippines, police said Wednesday.
The gunmen, allegedly hired by a local politician who wanted to eliminate a challenge from a rival, stopped a convoy of six vehicles on Monday and shot the passengers from close range, according to police.
The passengers were aides and relatives of the rival politician, plus a group of journalists.
Five of the convoy's blood-spattered and bullet-riddled vehicles were found on Monday alongside an unpaved farm road near many of the bodies, said Chief Superintendent Felicisimo Khu, the top police forensics official on the scene.
The final car was also found close by on Wednesday in a hastily dug grave alongside 11 freshly discovered bodies, Khu said.
But police also unearthed a sedan and a second van, neither of which was part of the convoy and which were owned by residents of the area who had no affiliation to the politicians or journalists, according to Khu.
"The car and the second van were not part of the convoy," Khu said. "They just happened to drive past."
He said relatives of the two vehicles' owners were waiting outside police lines to claim their kin, who were presumed to have been killed.
But Khu could not say exactly how many people who had been in those cars had been killed.
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HurricaneBill
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Re: Almost 60 dead in Philippines 'political' massacre
I'm sorry that this happened. I hope whoever is responsible for it is brought to justice.
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More witnesses link Ampatuan Jr. to massacre
MANILA - Several eyewitnesses have placed Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. at the scene of last Monday's brutal massacre of 57 people in Ampatuan, Maguindanao, documents submitted to the Department of Justice (DOJ) revealed Friday.
The witnesses said they were 25 meters away from the last vehicle on the convoy carrying Genalyn Mangudadatu, wife of Buluan town Vice Mayor Ismael "Toto" Mangudadatu, when they saw the first vehicle of the convoy being stopped by armed men blocking the road.
The witnesses said they thought that the convoy had reached a police checkpoint since there were several police cars blocking the road. At least one of the witnesses said he saw Ampatuan Jr. go to the lead vehicle of the convoy and talk to its passengers.
They said the armed men then started firing their guns while forcing open the windows of the vehicles carrying the Mangudadatu convoy.
Panicked, the witnesses sped off and headed back to Sultan Kudarat. All of the witnesses have submitted sworn affidavits to the DOJ panel investigating the massacre, and are now in hiding.
Another witness interviewed by ABS-CBN said the Ampatuan clan is hiding their firearms from authorities, including those used by in the massacre last Monday. This, despite the military's announcement that they had disarmed all 347 militiamen under the control of the Ampatuan clan in Maguindanao.
The witness, a government employee, said he would be willing to testify in the government investigation in exchange for protection for himself and his family.
"All of the firearms are in their mansion. The guns that were confiscated were not the ones used [in the massacre]. Those guns are already old. What's worse is that the guns and ammunition were purchased from the Armed Forces. The issued firearms are long firearms coming from the Philippine National Police provincial command. Those people were killed using guns and ammo from the government," he said.
He added that police cars used in Monday's massacre were also hidden in the Ampatuans' mansion.
Where are the new firearms?
ABS-CBN's Jorge Cariño, who covered the turnover of firearms to the military, noted in his TV Patrol report on Thursday that the the confiscated firearms were rusty.
An abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak source in the military said, "that's (observation) highly probable."
The source said 88 firearms were given to each of the 2 Special CAFGU Active Auxillary (SCAA) units assigned to the Ampatuans.
The source added that the media should cover the firearms turnover because "servicable lahat ang mga iyon ng ibinigay sa mga SCAAs numbering to 176 (firearms)."
The same source earlier told abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak that military leaders assigned to the area should also be held accountable for failing to prevent the recent massacre.
The military insider, who is familiar with local political dynamics in Maguindanao, said the military should have been on guard already from the beginning when para-military groups controlled by the Ampatuans, which consisted of armed Civilian Volunteer Organizations (CVOs) and SCAAs, started setting up checkpoints along the road leading to Shariff Aguak.
The military earlier denied that SCAAs were among those involved in the kidnapping and gruesome murders of the Mangudadatu clan members, their lawyers and supporters, and the journalists who accompanied them.
The military insider, however, said that where the CVOs are, the CAFGUs cannot be far behind. In the first place, the source said, in the field, it is very difficult to distinguish between the two.
The witness interviewed by ABS-CBN News also said the mass grave used to bury some of Monday's massacre victims was already dug up as early as Thursday, November 19. The witness said he received the information from one of the gunmen who participated in the slaughter.
"They planned it that way so that when the Mangudadatus or whoever was with them, whether they were media or not, they would be killed," he said.
The witness said he is willing to testify in the DOJ investigation to help bring justice to the victims.
Cops, not MILF, involved in massacre
Secretary Ronaldo Puno of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), meanwhile, said policemen were most likely involved in Monday's massacre in Maguindanao, based on the affidavits submitted by eyewitnesses.
Puno said a corporal stationed in Maguindanao revealed that he saw more than 100 policemen and CVOs staying on the national highway of Ampatuan town from November 19 to 22. He said the armed men were led by a police inspector from the local regional mobile group.
In his statement, the corporal said more than 100 armed men conducted checkpoints near Sitio Malating, Barangay Salman in Ampatuan town during that time.
He said that at around 11 a.m. of November 23, he saw a convoy passing near their detachment in Crossing Salman. Ten minutes later, shots were fired in the area.
The corporal said he immediately informed his commanding officer about the incident via text message. He said his commander told him to be on guard and remain at the detachment.
"Based on the reports that we have received, there really were police involved in the massacre," Puno told ABS-CBN.
At least four police officers from Maguindanao were brought to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group office in Manila on Thursday while undergoing investigation for the Maguindanao massacre. They are Senior Superintendent Agusana Maguid, officer-in-charge and provincial director of the Maguindanao PNP; Chief Inspector Sukarno Dicay, Senior Inspector Ariel Diongon and SPO2 Badawi Bakal.
Two military commanders stationed in Maguindanao were also suspended Friday for alleged inefficiency and lapses in judgement in relation to the massacre. They were identified as Major General Alfredo Cayton, commander of the Philippine Army’s 6th Infantry Division, and Col. Medardo Geslani, commander of the Army’s 601st Infantry Brigade.
Puno rejected Ampatuan Jr.'s claim that Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) guerrillas perpetrated Monday's massacre.
"For now, we see no evidence or indication or kuwento man lang that the MILF is involved. We are not even looking at that angle because all the evidence points to the suspect, Datu Unsay," the DILG chief told reporters.
9 Ampatuans suspects in massacre
Nine members of the powerful Ampatuan clan are considered suspects in the brutal murders of 57 people in Maguindanao province last Monday, Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera said Friday.
Devanadera said that aside from Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., the other suspects on the justice department's surveillance list are Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr., Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan, Nords Ampatuan, Maguindanao Acting Vice-Gov. Akmad Ampatuan, Datu Saudi Ampatuan Mayor Saudi Ampatuan Jr., Bahnarian Ampatuan, Sajid Islam Ampatuan, and Akmad Tato Ampatuan Sr.
"They are under investigation and under surveillance," Devanadera said of the eight suspected Ampatuans not in custody. She said immigration authorities had been alerted to prevent them from fleeing the country.
The justice chief said the 9 had varying degrees of participation either before, during or after the canage, based on witness accounts. She said her strongest evidence is the testimony of Buluan Vice-Mayor Esmael Mangudadatu who spoke to his wife before the massacre.
Mangudadatu earlier said his wife told him that it was Andal Jr. who stopped their convoy in Saudi Ampatuan town in Maguindanao last Monday. The wife also said she was slapped by Andal Jr..
Her body and the bodies of 56 other people, including women and journalists, were found in shallow graves on a hilly area in Ampatuan town hours later. The justice chief said most of the women were shot in the genitals and may have been raped before they were killed.
Devanadera said the DOJ has witness accounts that Andal Jr. was at the crime scene and not in the city hall as he claimed during the time of the massacre. She said the DOJ has more than 20 affidavit against the suspects.
Devanadera said the Datu Unsay mayor will face more murder charges, which will be filed on Tuesday. She said her department was unable to file the case on Friday because of a Muslim holiday while Monday is a public holiday.
She said criminal charges will be filed against other suspects in the coming days. -- with reports from Ces Drilon, ABS-CBN News; Gemma B. Mendoza, abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak; Timi Nubla, ABS-CBN News; ANC
More witnesses link Ampatuan Jr. to massacre
MANILA - Several eyewitnesses have placed Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. at the scene of last Monday's brutal massacre of 57 people in Ampatuan, Maguindanao, documents submitted to the Department of Justice (DOJ) revealed Friday.
The witnesses said they were 25 meters away from the last vehicle on the convoy carrying Genalyn Mangudadatu, wife of Buluan town Vice Mayor Ismael "Toto" Mangudadatu, when they saw the first vehicle of the convoy being stopped by armed men blocking the road.
The witnesses said they thought that the convoy had reached a police checkpoint since there were several police cars blocking the road. At least one of the witnesses said he saw Ampatuan Jr. go to the lead vehicle of the convoy and talk to its passengers.
They said the armed men then started firing their guns while forcing open the windows of the vehicles carrying the Mangudadatu convoy.
Panicked, the witnesses sped off and headed back to Sultan Kudarat. All of the witnesses have submitted sworn affidavits to the DOJ panel investigating the massacre, and are now in hiding.
Another witness interviewed by ABS-CBN said the Ampatuan clan is hiding their firearms from authorities, including those used by in the massacre last Monday. This, despite the military's announcement that they had disarmed all 347 militiamen under the control of the Ampatuan clan in Maguindanao.
The witness, a government employee, said he would be willing to testify in the government investigation in exchange for protection for himself and his family.
"All of the firearms are in their mansion. The guns that were confiscated were not the ones used [in the massacre]. Those guns are already old. What's worse is that the guns and ammunition were purchased from the Armed Forces. The issued firearms are long firearms coming from the Philippine National Police provincial command. Those people were killed using guns and ammo from the government," he said.
He added that police cars used in Monday's massacre were also hidden in the Ampatuans' mansion.
Where are the new firearms?
ABS-CBN's Jorge Cariño, who covered the turnover of firearms to the military, noted in his TV Patrol report on Thursday that the the confiscated firearms were rusty.
An abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak source in the military said, "that's (observation) highly probable."
The source said 88 firearms were given to each of the 2 Special CAFGU Active Auxillary (SCAA) units assigned to the Ampatuans.
The source added that the media should cover the firearms turnover because "servicable lahat ang mga iyon ng ibinigay sa mga SCAAs numbering to 176 (firearms)."
The same source earlier told abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak that military leaders assigned to the area should also be held accountable for failing to prevent the recent massacre.
The military insider, who is familiar with local political dynamics in Maguindanao, said the military should have been on guard already from the beginning when para-military groups controlled by the Ampatuans, which consisted of armed Civilian Volunteer Organizations (CVOs) and SCAAs, started setting up checkpoints along the road leading to Shariff Aguak.
The military earlier denied that SCAAs were among those involved in the kidnapping and gruesome murders of the Mangudadatu clan members, their lawyers and supporters, and the journalists who accompanied them.
The military insider, however, said that where the CVOs are, the CAFGUs cannot be far behind. In the first place, the source said, in the field, it is very difficult to distinguish between the two.
The witness interviewed by ABS-CBN News also said the mass grave used to bury some of Monday's massacre victims was already dug up as early as Thursday, November 19. The witness said he received the information from one of the gunmen who participated in the slaughter.
"They planned it that way so that when the Mangudadatus or whoever was with them, whether they were media or not, they would be killed," he said.
The witness said he is willing to testify in the DOJ investigation to help bring justice to the victims.
Cops, not MILF, involved in massacre
Secretary Ronaldo Puno of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), meanwhile, said policemen were most likely involved in Monday's massacre in Maguindanao, based on the affidavits submitted by eyewitnesses.
Puno said a corporal stationed in Maguindanao revealed that he saw more than 100 policemen and CVOs staying on the national highway of Ampatuan town from November 19 to 22. He said the armed men were led by a police inspector from the local regional mobile group.
In his statement, the corporal said more than 100 armed men conducted checkpoints near Sitio Malating, Barangay Salman in Ampatuan town during that time.
He said that at around 11 a.m. of November 23, he saw a convoy passing near their detachment in Crossing Salman. Ten minutes later, shots were fired in the area.
The corporal said he immediately informed his commanding officer about the incident via text message. He said his commander told him to be on guard and remain at the detachment.
"Based on the reports that we have received, there really were police involved in the massacre," Puno told ABS-CBN.
At least four police officers from Maguindanao were brought to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group office in Manila on Thursday while undergoing investigation for the Maguindanao massacre. They are Senior Superintendent Agusana Maguid, officer-in-charge and provincial director of the Maguindanao PNP; Chief Inspector Sukarno Dicay, Senior Inspector Ariel Diongon and SPO2 Badawi Bakal.
Two military commanders stationed in Maguindanao were also suspended Friday for alleged inefficiency and lapses in judgement in relation to the massacre. They were identified as Major General Alfredo Cayton, commander of the Philippine Army’s 6th Infantry Division, and Col. Medardo Geslani, commander of the Army’s 601st Infantry Brigade.
Puno rejected Ampatuan Jr.'s claim that Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) guerrillas perpetrated Monday's massacre.
"For now, we see no evidence or indication or kuwento man lang that the MILF is involved. We are not even looking at that angle because all the evidence points to the suspect, Datu Unsay," the DILG chief told reporters.
9 Ampatuans suspects in massacre
Nine members of the powerful Ampatuan clan are considered suspects in the brutal murders of 57 people in Maguindanao province last Monday, Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera said Friday.
Devanadera said that aside from Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., the other suspects on the justice department's surveillance list are Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr., Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan, Nords Ampatuan, Maguindanao Acting Vice-Gov. Akmad Ampatuan, Datu Saudi Ampatuan Mayor Saudi Ampatuan Jr., Bahnarian Ampatuan, Sajid Islam Ampatuan, and Akmad Tato Ampatuan Sr.
"They are under investigation and under surveillance," Devanadera said of the eight suspected Ampatuans not in custody. She said immigration authorities had been alerted to prevent them from fleeing the country.
The justice chief said the 9 had varying degrees of participation either before, during or after the canage, based on witness accounts. She said her strongest evidence is the testimony of Buluan Vice-Mayor Esmael Mangudadatu who spoke to his wife before the massacre.
Mangudadatu earlier said his wife told him that it was Andal Jr. who stopped their convoy in Saudi Ampatuan town in Maguindanao last Monday. The wife also said she was slapped by Andal Jr..
Her body and the bodies of 56 other people, including women and journalists, were found in shallow graves on a hilly area in Ampatuan town hours later. The justice chief said most of the women were shot in the genitals and may have been raped before they were killed.
Devanadera said the DOJ has witness accounts that Andal Jr. was at the crime scene and not in the city hall as he claimed during the time of the massacre. She said the DOJ has more than 20 affidavit against the suspects.
Devanadera said the Datu Unsay mayor will face more murder charges, which will be filed on Tuesday. She said her department was unable to file the case on Friday because of a Muslim holiday while Monday is a public holiday.
She said criminal charges will be filed against other suspects in the coming days. -- with reports from Ces Drilon, ABS-CBN News; Gemma B. Mendoza, abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak; Timi Nubla, ABS-CBN News; ANC
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Aslkahuna
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Re: Almost 60 dead in Philippines 'political' massacre
Unfortunately, the Ampatuan family members are political allies of President Macapagal-Arroyo so in the long run not much will be done-something we are familiar with in this Country as well.
Steve
Steve
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oaba09
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Re: Almost 60 dead in Philippines 'political' massacre
Aslkahuna wrote:Unfortunately, the Ampatuan family members are political allies of President Macapagal-Arroyo so in the long run not much will be done-something we are familiar with in this Country as well.
Steve
I'm just hoping that the local and international pressure will be enough to force the national gov't to take action....
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Aslkahuna
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Re: Almost 60 dead in Philippines 'political' massacre
I fear not-look how long it took with Marcos. I hate to say it, but the Philippine Government is one of the few that I would rate as more corrupt than our own and we have one of the most corrupt in the World.
Steve
Steve
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oaba09
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Re: Almost 60 dead in Philippines 'political' massacre
Aslkahuna wrote:I fear not-look how long it took with Marcos. I hate to say it, but the Philippine Government is one of the few that I would rate as more corrupt than our own and we have one of the most corrupt in the World.
Steve
Yeah...I agree w/ you on that one...I believe our country is at the top when it comes to corruption index...I just feel sad for the victims......57 people dead for nothing......it's just unbelievable...
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lrak
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Re: Almost 60 dead in Philippines 'political' massacre
The world will do nothing, "international pressure" against violence or mass murder is a thing of the past, and sanctions will only hurt the citizens not the privileged elites.
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AKA karl
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Personal Forecast Disclaimer:
My posts on this forum are NOT official forecast and should not be used as such. My posts are my basic observations and are definitely not backed by any "well some" meteorological knowledge. For official information, please refer to the NHC and NWS products.
Also
Personal Forecast Disclaimer:
My posts on this forum are NOT official forecast and should not be used as such. My posts are my basic observations and are definitely not backed by any "well some" meteorological knowledge. For official information, please refer to the NHC and NWS products.
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Aslkahuna
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Re: Almost 60 dead in Philippines 'political' massacre
oaba09 wrote:Aslkahuna wrote:I fear not-look how long it took with Marcos. I hate to say it, but the Philippine Government is one of the few that I would rate as more corrupt than our own and we have one of the most corrupt in the World.
Steve
Yeah...I agree w/ you on that one...I believe our country is at the top when it comes to corruption index...I just feel sad for the victims......57 people dead for nothing......it's just unbelievable...
I lived in the Philippines for nearly 9 years-mostly under Marcos so I know what you go through.
Steve
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Aslkahuna
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Re: Almost 60 dead in Philippines 'political' massacre
I see from the Philippine Inquirer where Prosecutors and Judges have received threats to go easy on the Ampatuans or else-someone needs to round up that family and its cronies and wipe them out.
Steve
Steve
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oaba09
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http://www.gmanews.tv/story/178575/arro ... -province#
Martial law declared in maguindanao province!!!!
Finally!!!(IMO, This is what's needed)
Arroyo declares martial law in Maguindanao province
In the wake of the massacre of 57 people in Ampatuan town, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo placed Maguindanao under a state of martial law, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita announced on Saturday morning.
Proclamation No. 1959
The complete text of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's proclamation on Saturday.
Proclamation 1959: Proclaiming a State of Martial Law and suspending the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in the province of Maguindanao except for certain areas.
Whereas, Proclamation No. 1946 was issued on 24 November 2009 declaring a state of emergency in the provinces of Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat and the City of Cotabato for the purpose of preventing and suppressing lawless violence in the aforesaid areas.
Whereas, Sec. 18 Art. VII of the Constitution provides that “in case of invasion or rebellion, when public safety requires it, the President may, for a period not exceeding 60 days, suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus or place the Philippines or any part thereof under martial law."
In so doing, Malacañang has suspended the writ of habeas corpus in the province except "for certain areas," enabling the military to make arrests without court intervention. This constitutes the first declaration of martial law in the Philippines since 1972, when then-president Ferdinand Marcos imposed military rule over the entire country.
"We are confident that this one is covered by the Constitution," Ermita assured.
"The condition of peace and order in the province of Maguindanao has deteriorated to the extent that local judicial systems and other government mechanisms are not functioning and thus endangering public safety," said Ermita at a press briefing at the Palace.
Press Secretary Cerge Remonde pointed out that the judicial process in the province is being hampered as "no judges will take the case, no judges will pursue the proper search warrants, or warrant of arrests."
Ermita said the step was taken in order to avert the escalation of "lawless" violence in the province and pave the way for the swift arrest of the suspects in the massacre in Ampatuan, Maguindanao, last November 23.
Ermita likewise clarified that despite the imposition of martial law, elected government officials, and not the military, will take over the supervision of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
"The president has issued Administrative Order 273-A delegating to the local government the supervision of ARMM. Now...in case any local executive is suspended or removed from their position for whatever reason, then the secretary of the local government can determine the successor in accordance with the Constitution," Ermita said, in reaction to earlier reports that a military governor would be appointed to supervise the province.
Denials of martial law
What the Constitution says about martial law
Section 18 of the 1987 Constitution states that:
* The President shall be the Commander-in-Chief of all armed forces of the Philippines and whenever it becomes necessary, he may call out such armed forces to prevent or suppress lawless violence, invasion or rebellion.
*In case of invasion or rebellion, when the public safety requires it, he may, for a period not exceeding 60 days, suspend the writ of habeas corpus or place the Philippines or any part thereof under martial law.
*Within 48 hours from the proclamation of martial law or the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus, the President shall submit a report in person or in writing to the Congress.
*The Congress, voting jointly, by a vote of at least a majority of all its members in regular or special session, may revoke such proclamation or suspension, which revocation shall not be set aside by the President.
*Upon the initiative of the President, the Congress may, in the same manner, extend such proclamation or suspension for a period to be determined by the Congress, if the invasion or rebellion shall persist and public safety requires it.
Reports received late Friday said Mrs. Arroyo had issued an order imposing military rule in the province. However, when contacted by GMANews.TV, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde denied the rumors while Presidential Adviser for Mindanao Affairs Jesus Dureza said he had no information on the matter.
Armed Forces Eastern Mindanao commander Lt. Gen. Raymundo Ferrer will function as military governor after the arrest of Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan Sr., according to the report, which did not identify its sources.
The same information was spread through text messages Friday evening that read, "This from usually reliable insider, martial law to be declared in Maguindanao tomorrow. Lt. Gen. Ferrer will be Military Governor. Ampatuans expected to be arrested."
AFP spokesman Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner told GMANews.TV in an interview Friday night that there was no need for martial law at this time. Last week, Maguindanao had been placed under a state of emergency in the days following the massacre.
"There is no need for the declaration of martial law in the area of Maguindanao or elsewhere in the country because the AFP and the Philippine National Police are on top of the situation," Brawner said on Friday, even as his superiors were planning martial law in the province.
Brawner's view has been echoed by human rights lawyers who see other scenarios other than the arrest of the massacre perpetrators. "There was already a state of emergency. Why did they need a declaration of martial law?" said Theodore Te, a lawyer with the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG), a lawyers' network founded during the Marcos era. "There's no reason for it, unless they're not revealing everything yet."
"The talk among some lawyers is that this could be an experiment or a testing ground for declaring martial law in other provinces to consolidate for unpopular candidates," Te added. "That could lead the way to cha-cha (charter change). Mahaba pa ang puwedeng puntahan nito."
In a statement posted on his Facebook page, University of the Philippines Law School Dean Marvic Leonen said, "She (President Arroyo) must clearly demonstrate why martial law needs to be declared. The proclamation of Martial Law can be used as a means to gain unfair advantage in the upcoming elections or as an excuse to declare a failure of elections contrary to the people’s will." [See: Critics: Martial law in Maguindanao sets dangerous precedent]
Congress approval needed
According to Article VII, Section 18 of the 1987 Constitution, the President as Commander-in-Chief may call out the armed forces “to prevent or suppress lawless violence, invasion or rebellion."
“In case of invasion or rebellion, when the public safety requires it," the President may place “the Philippines or any part thereof under martial law" for a maximum period of 60 days.
The Constitution also provides that within 48 hours from the proclamation of martial law, “the President shall submit a report in person or in writing to the Congress," which may vote to revoke or extend such proclamation.
In the aftermath of the massacre
Even before the formal announcement of martial law, two more members of the Ampatuan clan were taken in for questioning early Saturday morning, including its patriarch Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr. and ARMM Governor Zaldy Ampatuan, according to Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Victor Ibrado. [See: Ampatuan Sr., sons, taken into government custody]
ARMM Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan gets off a vehicle that took him to the Maguindanao police headquarters. He, along with his father Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr., were taken into custody to help shed light on the grisly murder of 57 people in Ampatuan town last November 23. Jiggy Manicad
The Ampatuan family was implicated in the gruesome massacre on November 23 that claimed the lives of women members of the rival Mangudadatu clan, human rights lawyers, 31 media workers and other innocent civilians in the worst election-related violence in the nation's history.
The massacre has also been condemned worldwide as the worst loss of life of media professionals in one day in the history of journalism.
Police personnel and tanks are scattered around the Maguindanao provincial police headquarters, where Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr and other local officials in the province were brought for questioning. Chino Gaston
Until the slaughter of the Mangudadatu convoy, the Ampatuans had been staunch allies of President Arroyo and were alleged to have helped her win in their bailiwicks through highly questionable methods in the 2004 elections. The Ampatuans control nearly all major local government positions in Maguindanao.
The ill-fated convoy was transporting Mangudadatu women to Maguindanao's capital of Shariff Aguak to file the certificate of candidacy of a clan member who had announced his intention to challenge the Ampatuans' supremacy in next year's elections.
Ibrado said the threat of suspects in the Maguindanao massacre joining armed supporters of the Ampatuan clan in resisting government forces played a key role in prompting the declaration of martial law over the province.
“We received reports that they had plans to undertake hostile action if ever the government officials, the Ampatuans particularly, were taken into custody. We felt this is a very imminent threat so we recommended for this proclamation," he said at a press briefing in Malacañang.
“With the connection of the reported armed groups that may provide support for those suspected of being involved and manifested by the fact there are many high powered firearms recovered in the general area, the elements of rebellion are present and hence the basis for the declaration of a proclamation declaring martial law and suspension of habeas corpus is established," Ermita said.
At present, there are six infantry battalions, two mechanized units, and one battalion size operation command in the province, according to Ibrado. [See: Security forces scouring for more Ampatuan weaponry]
Brawner earlier told GMANews.tv that normally there are only two battalions stationed in the province, with each battalion composed of 400 to 500 soldiers.
Martial law declared in maguindanao province!!!!
Finally!!!(IMO, This is what's needed)
Arroyo declares martial law in Maguindanao province
In the wake of the massacre of 57 people in Ampatuan town, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo placed Maguindanao under a state of martial law, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita announced on Saturday morning.
Proclamation No. 1959
The complete text of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's proclamation on Saturday.
Proclamation 1959: Proclaiming a State of Martial Law and suspending the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in the province of Maguindanao except for certain areas.
Whereas, Proclamation No. 1946 was issued on 24 November 2009 declaring a state of emergency in the provinces of Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat and the City of Cotabato for the purpose of preventing and suppressing lawless violence in the aforesaid areas.
Whereas, Sec. 18 Art. VII of the Constitution provides that “in case of invasion or rebellion, when public safety requires it, the President may, for a period not exceeding 60 days, suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus or place the Philippines or any part thereof under martial law."
In so doing, Malacañang has suspended the writ of habeas corpus in the province except "for certain areas," enabling the military to make arrests without court intervention. This constitutes the first declaration of martial law in the Philippines since 1972, when then-president Ferdinand Marcos imposed military rule over the entire country.
"We are confident that this one is covered by the Constitution," Ermita assured.
"The condition of peace and order in the province of Maguindanao has deteriorated to the extent that local judicial systems and other government mechanisms are not functioning and thus endangering public safety," said Ermita at a press briefing at the Palace.
Press Secretary Cerge Remonde pointed out that the judicial process in the province is being hampered as "no judges will take the case, no judges will pursue the proper search warrants, or warrant of arrests."
Ermita said the step was taken in order to avert the escalation of "lawless" violence in the province and pave the way for the swift arrest of the suspects in the massacre in Ampatuan, Maguindanao, last November 23.
Ermita likewise clarified that despite the imposition of martial law, elected government officials, and not the military, will take over the supervision of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
"The president has issued Administrative Order 273-A delegating to the local government the supervision of ARMM. Now...in case any local executive is suspended or removed from their position for whatever reason, then the secretary of the local government can determine the successor in accordance with the Constitution," Ermita said, in reaction to earlier reports that a military governor would be appointed to supervise the province.
Denials of martial law
What the Constitution says about martial law
Section 18 of the 1987 Constitution states that:
* The President shall be the Commander-in-Chief of all armed forces of the Philippines and whenever it becomes necessary, he may call out such armed forces to prevent or suppress lawless violence, invasion or rebellion.
*In case of invasion or rebellion, when the public safety requires it, he may, for a period not exceeding 60 days, suspend the writ of habeas corpus or place the Philippines or any part thereof under martial law.
*Within 48 hours from the proclamation of martial law or the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus, the President shall submit a report in person or in writing to the Congress.
*The Congress, voting jointly, by a vote of at least a majority of all its members in regular or special session, may revoke such proclamation or suspension, which revocation shall not be set aside by the President.
*Upon the initiative of the President, the Congress may, in the same manner, extend such proclamation or suspension for a period to be determined by the Congress, if the invasion or rebellion shall persist and public safety requires it.
Reports received late Friday said Mrs. Arroyo had issued an order imposing military rule in the province. However, when contacted by GMANews.TV, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde denied the rumors while Presidential Adviser for Mindanao Affairs Jesus Dureza said he had no information on the matter.
Armed Forces Eastern Mindanao commander Lt. Gen. Raymundo Ferrer will function as military governor after the arrest of Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan Sr., according to the report, which did not identify its sources.
The same information was spread through text messages Friday evening that read, "This from usually reliable insider, martial law to be declared in Maguindanao tomorrow. Lt. Gen. Ferrer will be Military Governor. Ampatuans expected to be arrested."
AFP spokesman Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner told GMANews.TV in an interview Friday night that there was no need for martial law at this time. Last week, Maguindanao had been placed under a state of emergency in the days following the massacre.
"There is no need for the declaration of martial law in the area of Maguindanao or elsewhere in the country because the AFP and the Philippine National Police are on top of the situation," Brawner said on Friday, even as his superiors were planning martial law in the province.
Brawner's view has been echoed by human rights lawyers who see other scenarios other than the arrest of the massacre perpetrators. "There was already a state of emergency. Why did they need a declaration of martial law?" said Theodore Te, a lawyer with the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG), a lawyers' network founded during the Marcos era. "There's no reason for it, unless they're not revealing everything yet."
"The talk among some lawyers is that this could be an experiment or a testing ground for declaring martial law in other provinces to consolidate for unpopular candidates," Te added. "That could lead the way to cha-cha (charter change). Mahaba pa ang puwedeng puntahan nito."
In a statement posted on his Facebook page, University of the Philippines Law School Dean Marvic Leonen said, "She (President Arroyo) must clearly demonstrate why martial law needs to be declared. The proclamation of Martial Law can be used as a means to gain unfair advantage in the upcoming elections or as an excuse to declare a failure of elections contrary to the people’s will." [See: Critics: Martial law in Maguindanao sets dangerous precedent]
Congress approval needed
According to Article VII, Section 18 of the 1987 Constitution, the President as Commander-in-Chief may call out the armed forces “to prevent or suppress lawless violence, invasion or rebellion."
“In case of invasion or rebellion, when the public safety requires it," the President may place “the Philippines or any part thereof under martial law" for a maximum period of 60 days.
The Constitution also provides that within 48 hours from the proclamation of martial law, “the President shall submit a report in person or in writing to the Congress," which may vote to revoke or extend such proclamation.
In the aftermath of the massacre
Even before the formal announcement of martial law, two more members of the Ampatuan clan were taken in for questioning early Saturday morning, including its patriarch Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr. and ARMM Governor Zaldy Ampatuan, according to Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Victor Ibrado. [See: Ampatuan Sr., sons, taken into government custody]
ARMM Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan gets off a vehicle that took him to the Maguindanao police headquarters. He, along with his father Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr., were taken into custody to help shed light on the grisly murder of 57 people in Ampatuan town last November 23. Jiggy Manicad
The Ampatuan family was implicated in the gruesome massacre on November 23 that claimed the lives of women members of the rival Mangudadatu clan, human rights lawyers, 31 media workers and other innocent civilians in the worst election-related violence in the nation's history.
The massacre has also been condemned worldwide as the worst loss of life of media professionals in one day in the history of journalism.
Police personnel and tanks are scattered around the Maguindanao provincial police headquarters, where Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr and other local officials in the province were brought for questioning. Chino Gaston
Until the slaughter of the Mangudadatu convoy, the Ampatuans had been staunch allies of President Arroyo and were alleged to have helped her win in their bailiwicks through highly questionable methods in the 2004 elections. The Ampatuans control nearly all major local government positions in Maguindanao.
The ill-fated convoy was transporting Mangudadatu women to Maguindanao's capital of Shariff Aguak to file the certificate of candidacy of a clan member who had announced his intention to challenge the Ampatuans' supremacy in next year's elections.
Ibrado said the threat of suspects in the Maguindanao massacre joining armed supporters of the Ampatuan clan in resisting government forces played a key role in prompting the declaration of martial law over the province.
“We received reports that they had plans to undertake hostile action if ever the government officials, the Ampatuans particularly, were taken into custody. We felt this is a very imminent threat so we recommended for this proclamation," he said at a press briefing in Malacañang.
“With the connection of the reported armed groups that may provide support for those suspected of being involved and manifested by the fact there are many high powered firearms recovered in the general area, the elements of rebellion are present and hence the basis for the declaration of a proclamation declaring martial law and suspension of habeas corpus is established," Ermita said.
At present, there are six infantry battalions, two mechanized units, and one battalion size operation command in the province, according to Ibrado. [See: Security forces scouring for more Ampatuan weaponry]
Brawner earlier told GMANews.tv that normally there are only two battalions stationed in the province, with each battalion composed of 400 to 500 soldiers.
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oaba09
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Re: Almost 60 dead in Philippines 'political' massacre
Aslkahuna wrote:I see from the Philippine Inquirer where Prosecutors and Judges have received threats to go easy on the Ampatuans or else-someone needs to round up that family and its cronies and wipe them out.
Steve
I agree.....I applaud GMA for declaring martial law....she really didn't have any other choice...
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Stephanie
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Re: MARTIAL LAW DECLARED DUE TO MAGUINDANAO MASSACRE
You're right - 57 people dead for absolutely no reason. I'm glad that martial law was declared, but like you said, Arroyo probably didn't have any other choice if she was going to keep the support of the people.
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oaba09
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Re: MARTIAL LAW DECLARED DUE TO MAGUINDANAO MASSACRE
Stephanie wrote:You're right - 57 people dead for absolutely no reason. I'm glad that martial law was declared, but like you said, Arroyo probably didn't have any other choice if she was going to keep the support of the people.
Yup...people were screaming for justice....
According to our constitution:
"The President shall be the Commander-in-Chief of all armed forces of the Philippines and whenever it becomes necessary, he may call out such armed forces to prevent or suppress lawless violence, invasion or rebellion"
---Some people are saying that the declaration is baseless but looking at the parts I put in bold, I think the declaration, is legal......I hope this declaration will finally bring justice to the victims....
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