Manila – Philippine ruling political party, LAKAS-CMD has expelled three members of the powerful Ampatuan family as evidence continues to point to members of the ruling clan of Maguindanao province and thier security group as being involded in mondays brutal killings.
The executive commitee of the Politcal Party of President Gloria Arroyo’s administraition Wednesday night reported the expulsion in a statement. Earlier Philippine Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said "Monday’s incident is a wake up call for those who think they can capitalize on their alliance with the administration.
“They better come out and present themselves to authorities. That will be the best for them to do because nobody is above the law. The long arm of the law somehow will catch up with them,” Ermita said.
The announcement came amidst reports of girsley massacre and brutal killings. A new death toll has reached 57 including two pregnant women among the victims. Those killed include the driver and passenger of a car that had the misfortune of driving down the road where the massacre took place.
Meanwhile, a senior military officer says the killings based on information they recieved did not happen all at once and it is believed due to seperate mass graves that the group was split up into smaller batches of captives. Others found near their vechiles were hastily murdered – executed – after reports reached the gunmen that military forces and helicopters were searching for the kidnapped group.
- :"This is not a simple election feud between opposing clans; this is a supreme act of inhumanity that is a blight on our nation." – President Arroyo
Speaking on a Manila radio station, the husband of one of the victims said his wifes body bore the brutal marks of abuse "Shots fired into her private parts and mutalation of breasts. They didn’t just stop there they fired a gun into her mouth." Esmael Magundadatu said on radio wednesday night.
Magundadatu lost also his sister and aunt in the mass killings, both women were 5 and 6 months pregnant at the time. The Manugdadatu’s had hoped that by sending women and journalists to file certificates of candidacy they could aviod a violent confrontation. "What happened, is so brutal so horrific, inexcusable…" UN secretary general Ban Ki-Moon has condemned that attacks calling them "horrific" and "distrubing"
US Embassy Condemns Massacre:
- The U.S. Embassy in Manila condemns the recent mass killings in Maguindanao in the strongest possible terms. Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney said: “Such barbaric acts violate the most fundamental principles of human rights and democracy.” On behalf of all American and Filipino employees of the Embassy, Ambassador Kenney offers heartfelt condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the victims.
- The Embassy urges the Philippine government to spare no effort in investigating these terrible crimes and preventing such violence in the months ahead. Ambassador Kenney stressed: “We strongly believe that a thorough, rapid, and transparent investigation must be conducted, and those responsible must be brought to swift justice.”
STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARED IN AREA:
FULL STATEMENT OF PRESIDENT GLORIA ARROYO
The gruesome killings in Maguindanao constitute a most heinous crime. What makes it particularly so is the fact that it counts among its victims, lawyers, media reporters, and other defenseless and innocent civilians. Like many others. I am appalled and outraged by it, and I join the rising chorus of indignation against it.
This is not a simple election feud between opposing clans; this is a supreme act of inhumanity that is a blight on our nation.
Elections are supposed to be civil and decent contests for political leadership at different levels of government. They are supposed to be avenues for political renewal in a democratic order. But when they are marred by violence, they mutate into occasions for demonstrating brute power, unrestrained by civility.
I deeply commiserate with the kith and kin of the victims. I grieve the irretrievable loss of innocent lives. That loss, unbearable as it is, should now move us to fight those forces that thrive in violence and erode the integrity of elections in our country.
The perpetrators will not escape justice. The law will haunt them until they are caught.
No citizen of our nation should ever have to fear for his or her life in the free expression of political will. That these victims were brutally struck down while merely exercising their right to political freedom must be condemned by people everywhere.
I understand only too well the volatility of the political situation in the area, and for this reason, I reiterate with even greater urgency my personal appeal for calm and restraint.
I am declaring a national day of mourning in honor of the victims. This crime is too outrageous not to prick the conscience of this nation. or any other nation for that matter. Let us hope that the outrage is overcome by reason and by our need to live our lives in peace, honor and human dignity.
On my instructions, the Secretaries of the Department of Interior and Local Government and the Department of Justice are now in the area to directly lead in the immediate resolution of this case.
Be assured that our police and military forces are actively restoring normalcy in the area, and the national prosecution offices under the Justice Department are undertaking all the appropriate processes for the expeditious resolution of this crime.
In all this, the rule of law, the guarantee of equal protection under and equal application of the law, and the observance of due process and all legal processes, shall prevail. Let the full force of the law bear upon those who are found to be responsible for this offense and be made accountable for their acts. – END STATEMENT