Manila: It was an arrest that came almost two years to the day in 2009, of the worst mass killing of journalists in this century. A massacre, that took place in a town that bears the family name of her alleged co-accused and political ally, Amaptuan, also the name of a powerful political clan in a province where her senatorial candidates opponents did not receive single vote. Now a former leader of the Philippine is under arrest and confined in a hospital.
Gloria Arroyo, a congresswoman, former president, one of Time magazines most influential women leaders of the world, classmate of former President Bill Clinton and advisor to US and EU leaders on counter terrorism, as well as being well known for economic management that has largely spared her country from the worlds current financial turmoil. Is under arrest; for a alleged election fraud in 2007.
Arroyo’s husband, a lawyer is filing a number of complaints versus her accusers – first for failing to allow his wife to seek medical treatment abroad. On fears the government says she would not return. Arroyo’s legal problems total 20 some cases most in preliminary investigation. One that her allies say was rushed or railroaded to prevent her receiving medical care. But government says was speeded up to prevent her from seeking political asylum abroad.
We seek justice not vengence Arroyo’s rights protected – Pres. Aquino
Karma, is often heard in the plight of former Philippine President Gloria Arroyo by her critics some of whom she put in jail during her ten years in office.
Among them, her predessor – a man who she took over the office of the President from former movie star then President Joesph Estrada, Who on his facebook page is quoted from a media interview as saying, "I must commend Secretary De Lima. She showed courage in the midst of controversy. While the Arroyo camp tried to tilt the weight of justice against the people, she did everything in her power to tilt it back towards the best interest of the people. I applaud her." referring to the current justice secretary – who is now facing contempt of the supreme court of the Philippines for not allowing arroyo to travel. Even with a court order allowing Arroyo’s travel under a restrianing order.
Estrada himself was convicted for plunder during Arroyo’s term in office only to be pardoned by Arroyo.
Estrada also was kept in house arrest and confined in a military hopital while under arrest, his supporters are saying the Arroyo being detained at a private hospital " is special treatment, " Arroyo is expected to also face a string of graft cases as well. But Estrada also said Arroyo should get access to medical care and did not make any calls for her to be confined in a military facility.
Election fraud by alleged ‘warlord ally’ first case to secure arrest.
Arroyo, stands accused of conspiring with local officails in Maguindanao Province in a controvertail case of electoral fraud with her co-accused being Andal Ampatuan the former governor and reputed warlord of south central mindanao’s Maguindanao province.
The case comes now will be appealed before the philippine supreme court on appeal for what legal analyst have claimed is a ‘rushed’ or ‘railroaded’ a case versus the former president – her allies claim in a move to prevent her from leaving the country for medical care. "This is cruel and inhumane punishment," her husband mike arroyo, told reporters while being prevented from getting on plane earlier in the week. Her former Press Secretary and chief government peace negotiator Jesus Dureza called the cases ‘vindictive and unchristian treatment’ which he said is primarily based on vengence from a group of former members of her cabinet that Arroyo fired – allegedly for ties to groups with ‘anti-democratic agendas to defend oligarchs and old rich families’ who suffered under Arroyo’s rule her allies claim.
The Massacre: Amaptuan town forever marked the date November 23, 2009
It is two years almost to the day since the first trickle of reports came then a flood of images that shocked the world. When the toll was talled 58 people mostly local members of print and braodcast media outlets accompanying the wife of a opposition candidate in a insurgency plagued and warlord ruled province on Mindanao Island. This reporter filed extensive coverage including Arroyo’s swift declaration martial law and arrests of her political allies.
Most expected a confrontation, perhaps violence but none though wholesale slaughter even in the often bloody violent political battles was unprecedented. The case is pending in court, Hundreds of suspects – mostly members of local government sponsored counter insurgent and terrorism militia armed by government that grew to rival military units. Most of which were issued during Arroyo’s tenure.
Family members of the victims have long blamed Arroyo for allowing the Amaptuan militia force to gorw strong most – with caution – fearing reprisals say Arroyo’s arrest at the least offers some justice for Manila’s arming and training of the large ‘private militia’ in Mindnanao.
"We like what we see but are also worried some of the accused might cut deals versus Arroyo in exchange for dropping some charges in the massacre." a wife of one murdered journalist told the ground report.
Aquino: Rule of law – Due Process – Rights respected not just for Arroyo but all Filipino’s.
Noting that it is the right of every Filipino, President Benigno S. Aquino III assured the camp of his predecessor, former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo of due process of law. President Aquino made the assurance during his arrival speech at the Villamor Airbase in Pasay City on Saturday night after attending the 19th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Summits in Bali, Indonesia.
"Every Filipino has legal rights – they will be respected from highest to lowest in stature all will get equal treatment in law." the President added.
On Friday, former President Arroyo was served an arrest warrant in her hospital room at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig City, Manila, on charges of electoral fraud. Pasay City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 112 Judge Jesus Mupas ordered the arrest of Mrs. Arroyo for electoral sabotage in the 2007 polls.
The President also expressed elation over the fact that the Filipino people are behind him, particularly on the issue concerning the former President and now Rep. Arroyo.