President Arroyo’s office of the press secretary released a statement Thursday night in Manila naming the principal suspect in gruesome massacre that claimed 57 people in Maguindanao province. Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said the “taking in, inquest, and the subsequent filing of charges” against Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan, Jr. is just the beginning.
The son of Maguindanao Governor Andal Ampatuan, Sr., the mayor is a prime suspect in the crime that people say has no precedence in brutality in the country.
Arroyo vows justice and the rule of law and not vendetta clan warfare will see justice for those killed. "The suspects in the Maguindanao Massacre will be charged in court and, if found guilty, meted out the appropriate punishment in accordance with law."
In the statement on the Arroyo’s spokesperson stressed that, “The government will be relentless in bringing to justice all responsible for the gruesome Maguindanao massacre." Sec. Reymunde further said that, "President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo wants all the culprits punished without fear or favor,”.
In the same briefing, Deputy Spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo said that the government will punish all those involved in the repugnant crime.
She added the law will be applied “to everyone whether they are friends, allies or enemies.” The president, she disclosed, had directed law enforcement agencies to do everything they can to get to the bottom of the incident that left at least 57 people, including lawyers and journalists, dead in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao on Monday.
For his part, Philippine National Police (PNP) General Nicanor Bartolome said the inquest would be held at Camp Crame, with only authorized persons allowed to attend the proceedings.
He added that members of the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, who were in Maguindanao when the crime occurred, have been replaced and subjected to investigation.
A total of 347 members of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) have been disarmed.
To prevent a RIDO traidtional vendetta reprisal attack the PNP chief stressed that, "All permits to carry firearms in Maguindanao were suspended effective the day after the massacre came to light."
Arroyo :’PRAYS FOR PEACEFUL 2010 ELECTIONS’
As the government was moving decisively to solve the Maguindanao massacre, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today prayed the May 2010 national elections would be peaceful and orderly.
”We pray that the process of selecting our leaders will not be marred by violence and strife, said the President in an address on the 34th anniversary celebration of the National Prayer Breakfast Foundation, Inc., at the Malago Grounds inside Malacañang Park.
The president said that elections should empower, ”not cower the people.”
She acknowledged that political violence is “a ‘sad legacy” that the country must wrestle with, but the government has made considerable progress in protecting the citizenry.
The celebration coincided with the declaration today of a Day of Prayer and Mourning for the victims of the outrageous crime.
According to the president, the Maguindanao incident should serve to strengthen the government resolve “to end this violence that plagues the political system.”
She likewise asked for prayers for the grieving relatives of the victims, that they be ‘granted the solace of faith and peace of mind” and that the ”burden of anger and revenge be lifted from their hearts.”
”We are a civilized nation, we are a nation of children of God,” the president said, which obeys the Ten Commandments, including the one that says ”Thou shall not kill.”
The Lord, the president points out, forgives the blackest deed. However, she added, criminals should not be allowed to escape justice.
She also asked for prayers for a peaceful Mindanao.
”Let us pray for peace in Mindanao so that Muslims, Lumads and Christians can live together in peace, harmony and cooperation and respects one another’s religious and even political beliefs,” the President said.
The National Breakfast Prayer, patterned after the US Breakfast Prayer meeting, hopes to bring together national and elected leaders and obtain their commitment to dedicate their lives in the service of God.
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