Manila- Pleading innocence the principal suspect alleged to be ‘the mastermind’, in the "Worst case of political violence in recent memory." has blamed a rogue Islamic rebel commander as behind the massacre of 57 people in his province of Mindanao.
Speaking very briefly with reporters Andal Ampatuan the Mayor of the town of Datu Unsay. which is also his nick-name, has said in a inquest before prosecutors that charges against him bore no truth. Something his alleged victims husband Vice Mayor Esmael Mangudadatu whose wife, Genalyn, Sister, and a Aunt was among the 57 victims nearly lost his temper while hearing the response. Mangudadatu, also from a equally large and political clan chose to follow the law and seek his justice in the Philippine legal system. A total of seven charges have been filed versus the man some in media are now calling the ‘Butcher of Magiundano’
Traditionally in remote Maguindanao province, justice in the past flowed from a tradition called RIDO, or vendetta justice or payments of blood money when a settlement with one party was arrived at but in most cases an eye for eye, victim for victim battle would rage sometimes for years between rival families. More so in cases where women and the unarmed were the victims.
None of the 57 killed per nealry all reports was armed. The were attacked by a para-military force or what investigators describe was a well armed force with military grade assault weapons numbering over 100 was armed.
Most were women relatives of the Mangudadatu’s, the rest were from local media.
Maguindanao: Militia’s Disarmed, Gun permits revoked, Police revamped
Within hours after the massacre the Philippine military poured in three brigades of troops including elite counter terrorism units trained by US special forces. In a showdown that was used to convince the Ampatuan clan to surrender the alleged member of the political family. Troops. Tanks, Helicopter gunships, and hundreds of soldiers were deployed around the capitol building and urban center where the Ampatuans had as many as 400 trained and equipped government militia fighters.
The Government of President Arroyo in Manila under intense local and international pressure responded and with the principal suspect under arrest proceeding are expected to take place within 36 hours.
Government lawyers and prosecutors stress they are building a strong case and that as many as 300 of the militia men of the area are in police custody
The statements versus the Ampatuans include a alleged gunman who identified the suspect and the orders they were made to carry out versus the convoy of supporters of the Mangudadatu clan. Also others who were involved in the burial of victims or witnesses to the crime including four alleged survivors. Some have spoken in television interviews in a case that has gripped the country.
Special Court convened to handle case in Manila
The request of the Philippine department of justice for a special court to be established in Manila to handle the case has granted by the Philippine Supreme Court. The Philippine Justice Secretary Agnes Devendera has assigned well known prosecutors and the evidence gathered per them is growing everyday versus the Ampatuans.
Meanwhile, the Philippine local governments and interior secretary Ronaldo Puno, has said that other local officials may be suspected for thier role in the gruesome crime if evidence can be found against them.
A state of emergency in the province of Maguindanao and neighboring Cotabato City as well as Sultan Kuderat province remains in effect to prevent clashes.
Ampatuan: "I follow the wishes of my father… "
Mayor Ampatuan, who was surrendered to authorities to end tension in the region b his own family told his relatives that he had "No role in the killings", stressing his innocense in a family meeting local media reports in Manila said.
Gov. Andel Ampatuan sr. had hoped his namesake would succeed him in local polls to be held in May of 2010, the elder Ampatuan has been governor for three consecutative terms in a province that is sometimes seen as almost feudal paradox in a country where democracy is the norm. However, in the past violence has often been a recurring problem in the region. Political violence has hit most of the elected families in the area over time. The Ampatuans have lost one son to roadside bomb the Mangundadatu’s and other political clans have all had members of thier clans lost to political violence and insurgency in the past authorities say however this weeks massacre was the worst any had seen and even hardened veterans of insurgency plagued Mindanao could not accept the toll taken on women, media, and even commuters who happened to be traveling along a lonely road in a town named after the Ampatuans.
Search for More Victims Continues:
Thursday in Manila, reports from the southern Philippine continue to filter in about others still not found nor having been able to be contacted by relatives in the area. A local radio station in nearby Davao City says several others not on a list of supporters and media people covering the convoy of Magundadatu’s are still being searched for per reports.
This as government forces still are pursuing gunmen who took part in the crime itself many reportedly have fled to remote areas and government forces say they will continue to search for survivors and hunt down suspects "As long as it takes. As long as there are other victims out there we will not stop looking." A military spokesman in Manila told reporters at Armed Forces HQ.