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Philippines rules out immediate arrests in political massacre
Philippines News.Net
Wednesday 25th November, 2009 (IANS)
The Philippine government on Wednesday rejected mounting calls for the immediate arrest of members of a prominent political family allegedly behind the massacre of 46 people.
Presidential spokesman Cerge Remonde said investigators must build a strong case against the Ampatuan family, close allies of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, before any arrests could be made.
'We have due process to be observed also, so let us allow the investigators on the ground to come up with a case through their investigation,' he said.
Remonde assured the public that all those behind the massacre would be arrested and prosecuted.
'It's a very big embarrassment, not only to the government, but also to the entire nation,' he said.
The gruesome killings occurred on Monday in a hilly area in Salman village in Ampatuan town in Maguindanao province, 930 kilometres south of Manila.
The victims were on their way to file the certificate of candidacy of Buluan town Vice Mayor Esmael Mangudadatu for Maguindanao governor in next year's elections.
Mangudadatu's candidacy would pit him against the son of incumbent Governor Andal Ampatuan Senior, who had run unopposed in three previous elections.
The victims included Mangudadatu's wife, two sisters, two human rights lawyers and at least 17 local journalists who were covering the event.
They were shot multiple times at close range. Some of the bodies were buried in a shallow mass grave that was dug up by a backhoe of the provincial government.
Mangudadatu said his wife told him in a telephone call before she was killed that they were being held by 100 gunmen allegedly led by Mayor Andal Ampatuan Junior on orders of his father.
Commission on Human Rights chairwoman Leila De Lima questioned the 'less-than-decisive action' of authorities in dealing with the worst-ever election-related violence in the country.
'There is an unusual treatment,' she said. 'If you're an ordinary suspect and there is a lead (on your alleged involvement in a crime), you will be immediately picked up by police.'
'The police should at least invite the Ampatuans to explain their side in the precinct,' she added.
The international community has condemned the murders, which United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called a 'heinous crime'.
Ban said he hoped 'that no effort will be spared to bring justice and to hold the perpetrators accountable'.
On Tuesday, Arroyo declared emergency rule in Maguindanao, the nearby province of Sultan Kudarat and Cotabato City to give security forces a free hand in going after the perpetrators.
But political analysts have expressed doubts Arroyo would come down hard on the Ampatuans, who have been key allies of the government especially in previous elections.  Email this story to a friend
Comments on this story
GRRRRRRR!!
11-25-09, 02:02 AM |
Philippines rules out immediate arrests in political massacre
What the crap? Build a strong case agaisnt the Ampatuans? You’re kidding! 46 bodies on the ground! Its almost 3 days now, still no arrests made. FUCK YOU MALACANIANG!!
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Anonymous
11-25-09, 02:30 AM |
shame ..shame..shame ..on you malacanang people
get those primary suspects asap for interogation, evidence are clear and available besides fish usually catch on their mouth. what you guys are waiting for?
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lola
11-25-09, 03:54 AM |
Words alone is not enough
Arroyo you are a shame to humanity.Youre more worst than this criminal pigs.Declaring emergency is not enough.Under your administration happened this brutal act, after 3 days nothing happened.What we need is action and not words. We want to see justice,theres no compromise at these time.
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shocked
11-25-09, 08:10 AM |
Beware
To the Arroyo Administration:
I am an American with no Philippine roots. The whole world is watching what is happening and how your administration is handles this
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James West
11-25-09, 08:40 AM |
Time to stand up
Now is the time for the Philippine Government to show the world what it is made of. The world is watching. If your favorite dog bites your friend, the dog must go. You know what I mean.
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lola
11-25-09, 09:24 AM |
Deliver justice
Arroyo can deliver justice to the victims if she want.She have the power to do it.What she need is her will, to deliver it.Theres too much shame in this country.
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Buldozer
11-25-09, 09:48 AM |
Yoe get what you deserve
There is no justice at all in the phillipines. If you have a quarel with a rich man the justice system takes 7 - 10 years and than still you get no justice.
Afterall You pinoys choose that stealing, lying, swindling family to be your president, maybe you will wake up now!!!!!!
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Ina ko po
11-25-09, 08:59 PM |
It is no surprise the incident will keep on going between the clans. Since it was done by the Ampatuan clan to the Mangudadatu clan there will be no ending becuase they are bitter enemy. The Philippines Armed Forces will be in middle of the fighting and more blood will flow. It may not happen now but it will happen in the future. It is a fight between the McGregor and the McAllen. It never ending fight.They are also bitter political opponent and more happening will come.We have to remember they are all Muslims and bitter enemy among themselves. It will probably decades before the war amomg clans will peter down.And still will not be an ending to the feud. You must learn it just started so stay away and do not gfo in between....
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disgusting
11-25-09, 09:47 PM |
President Arroyo shame on you
Boxer Manny Pacquiao and CNN Hero Efren Penaflorida, brought glory to the Philippines nation. President Gloria Arroyo brought shame to the Philippines nation. What a waste. Shame on you Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
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jimt
11-25-09, 10:54 PM |
A shame and a travesty of justice
Truly, the Arroyo administration will go into the history books as one of the most corrupt ever, although she does have a lot of historical competition just in the Philippines. This is no reflection on the Philippino people, here in this country we had our Bush presidencies and others equally as bad, but how very sad indeed for the victims, their families and the nation as a whole and yes, great shame and disrepute for President Arroyo.
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boyong
11-25-09, 10:58 PM |
hall of shame!!!
poor pilipino no justice !!!!for this people this issue will be the on the garbage again !!!!
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