By M.E. Dodge
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia
MANILA, Philippines – Datu Andal Ampatuan Jr., a mayor in southern Maguindanao province, is accused of acting as a leader and rallying over 100 government-armed miltia, as well as police, at asecurity checkpoint outside Ampatuan township, where they shot and buried 57 individuals in mass graves. The slain group included 30 journalists and their staff.
Maguindanao is part of an autonomous region in predominantly Muslim Mindanao, which was set up in the 1990s to quell armed uprisings by people seeking an independent Muslim homeland in the predominantly Christian Asian nation. Authorities have said the killings were part of a politically motivated attempt to keep an opponent of the politically powerful Ampatuan family from running for governor. Thirty journalists were among those killed.
Ampatuan Jr. is a prime suspect in what is said to be one the worst cases of political violence. The former mayor pleaded not guilty to murder charges to the murders which took place last November. Although the deaths of the victims happened months ago, the charges are only now being read against Ampatuan Jr.
Ampatuan Jr. denied any involvement in the incident, and his father, the former provincial governor, in addition to several other close relatives have been accused of involvement in the killings. They also deny any affiliation, but have yet to be indicted. unlike Ampatuan Jr.
In November when the killing spree took place, there was an international outcry. In turn, Philipean President, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, announced martial law in Maguindanao for a short period, to crack down on the powerful Ampatuan clan and its private army. Arroyo has appointed a retired judge to head an independent commission tasked to dismantle private armies controlled by dozens of political warlords across the country and reduce election violence. Arroyo gave the commission authority to use the military, police and other agencies to disarm and disband an estimated 132 private armed groups. Troops have seized more than 1,100 assault rifles, mortars, machine guns, bazookas, armoured vehicles and more than half a million rounds of bullets from the Ampatuan clan in the government crackdown on the family’s private army since last month.
Ampatuan Jr.’s trial began in December. In reports and images of the fomer mayor, he was handcuffed and flanked by armed guards, and appeared tired during the hearing. Dante Jimenez, head of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption, a citizens’ group, said that, “It seems he was very insensitive to the proceedings.”
Despite the pain of the massacre felt by victims,dozens of armed police and members of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) stood guard inside the courtroom as lawyers, journalists and families of the massacre victims sat just a few yards away from Ampatuan Jr. The court barred live news coverage of the proceedings. Even anti-riot police and fire trucks were posted at the police camp’s three main gates.In the midst of the judicial proceedings,Myrna Reblando, wife of one of 30 journalists killed, stated, “We hope for a speedy trial and swift justice for the death of my husband.”
For more information, please see:
The Jurist – Philippines mayor pleads not guilty to massacre murder charges – January 6. 2010
CNN – Mayor accused in Philippines massacre – December 10, 2009
CNN – Philippines mayor pleads not guilty to murder – January 5, 2010
Bloomberg News – Philippines Says Mayor Linked to Massacre Surrenders – November 26, 2009
The Guardian – Mayor denies Philippines massacre charges – January 5, 2010
