by Hector Pascua, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau | 12/08/2009 1:22 PM
VIENNA, Austria - The Austrian Union of Catholic and Secular Journalists condemned the slaughter of unarmed civilians in Maguindanao last November 23.
In a press statement released by the Union, it expressed its sincere condolences to the families of the victims. Likewise, it urged Philippine authorities to hold all those responsible accountable for the crime.
Pinas First, a Philippine nationalistic group whose mission is to share the true spirit and values of Christianity, particularly the concerns for justice and peace among migrant Filipinos and their families, issued a statement of its utmost solidarity and deepest sympathy to the families and relatives of the victims of the mass murder in Maguindanao.
Filipino Journalists in Austria also condemned the massacre, pointing out that the massacre was the single-biggest murder of working journalists.
Volet Gerstl, editor and publisher of BikolExpress, a Filipino News-magazine in Vienna also expressed her outrage over the massacre.
“I commiserate with the families of my fellow workers in the media and other innocent individuals who were murdered in the line of duty,’’ Gerstl said.
Earlier, the Austrian People’s party member and currently the European Union's External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero Waldner strongly condemned the barbaric massacre in the south of the Philippines.
"I condemn in the strongest possible terms the barbaric killing of innocent civilians, including women, journalists and lawyers, who were preparing to participate in the electoral process in the Philippines," Ferrero-Waldner said in a statement.
At least 57 people were killed in the massacre last November 23. Among those killed were 30 journalists, lawyers, members of a political clan and their supporters.
On Monday, the Philippine National Police (PNP) submitted before the Department of Justice information on the rebellion charges that would be filed against 24 members of the Ampatuan clan, including its patriarch, Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr.
Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., the alleged mastermind of the Maguindanao massacre, has been charged with 25 counts of murder and detained at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) main office in Manila.
as of 12/08/2009 1:22 PM
Monday, December 7, 2009
Military: Cops attacked in Philippine Maguindanao province
Military: Cops attacked in Philippine Maguindanao province
www.chinaview.cn 2009-12-08 12:09:53 Print
SHARIFF AGUAK, Philippines, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- Philippine policemen were fired upon late Monday night when they were patrolling in a town in the southern province of Maguindanao, the second such incident since Sunday night, a military spokesman said Tuesday.
Lt. Col. Jonathan Ponce, a local military spokesman, told reporters that the shooting occurred at the border of Datu Saudi and Datu Unsay townships but there is no casualty on the government side.
It was the second clash since Manila imposed a military rule in the province following the Nov. 23 mass killing of 57 people, including 30 journalists there. Andal Ampatuan Jr., mayor of Datu Unsay, was arrested and charged as a prime suspect of the massacre.
Patrolling cops were fired upon late Sunday night in Datu Unsay town, which prompted law enforcement men to fire back. No government casualties were reported in the shooting.
The authorities are going after other members of the Ampatuan clan and said the family's around 2,300 para-military soldiers running at large pose a serious threat to the peace and stability in the region.
Earlier, Lt. Gen. Raymundo Ferrer, martial law administrator in the province, told reporters that several armed followers of Ampatuans have joined forces with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, a claim denied by the rebel group.
The Ampatuans have ruled Maguindanao since 2001.
www.chinaview.cn 2009-12-08 12:09:53 Print
SHARIFF AGUAK, Philippines, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- Philippine policemen were fired upon late Monday night when they were patrolling in a town in the southern province of Maguindanao, the second such incident since Sunday night, a military spokesman said Tuesday.
Lt. Col. Jonathan Ponce, a local military spokesman, told reporters that the shooting occurred at the border of Datu Saudi and Datu Unsay townships but there is no casualty on the government side.
It was the second clash since Manila imposed a military rule in the province following the Nov. 23 mass killing of 57 people, including 30 journalists there. Andal Ampatuan Jr., mayor of Datu Unsay, was arrested and charged as a prime suspect of the massacre.
Patrolling cops were fired upon late Sunday night in Datu Unsay town, which prompted law enforcement men to fire back. No government casualties were reported in the shooting.
The authorities are going after other members of the Ampatuan clan and said the family's around 2,300 para-military soldiers running at large pose a serious threat to the peace and stability in the region.
Earlier, Lt. Gen. Raymundo Ferrer, martial law administrator in the province, told reporters that several armed followers of Ampatuans have joined forces with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, a claim denied by the rebel group.
The Ampatuans have ruled Maguindanao since 2001.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Maguindanao massacre "ampatuan vs mangudadatu"
When can there be peace in Mindanao and Philippines? :(
Troops in Manila ready vs possible spillover of Maguindanao turmoil
The military is bracing for a possible spillover of the current turmoil in Maguindanao province, which under martial law as the government continues its crackdown on the people behind the grisly November 23 massacre in Ampatuan town.
This was after reports that at least 300 supporters of the powerful Ampatuan political clan, the suspects in the massacre that killed 57 people, have left for Metro Manila to escape the ongoing operations by government security forces in Maguindanao.
A report by GMA News' Susan Enriquez aired over the special edition of "24 Oras" Sunday night said two tanks are currently on standby in Camp Aguinaldo ready for possible deployment any time.
The report said the military's National Capital Region Command (NCRCom) has placed its troops on blue alert - the second highest alert level in the military - last Friday, the day Malacañang issued Proclamation 1959 placing the entire Maguindanao under martial law.
"The organic personnel of the NCRCom are on ready section, ready to be deployed any time if the situation so arises," said Lt. Col. Jesus Nava, head of NCRComs' command operations center.
The report said troops from the Army, Navy and Air Force have already been alerted for possible deployment any time. Intelligence information gathering has also been intensified.
So far, Metro Manila remains safe from any threat related to the Maguindanao turmoil, Nava said. "The [Armed Forces of the Philippines] is in control of the situation in Manila in coordination with the [Philippine National Police]."
The PNP, on the other hand, said the happenings in Maguindanao, about 545 miles (880 kilometers) south of Manila, are unlikely to reach the nation's capital, according to a separate report in "24 Oras."
"As far as the information that we have received... there are no spillovers here in Metro Manila. We're just reckoning with Maguindanao," said PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina.
He belittled reports that 300 men associated with the Ampatuan clan are now in the metropolis.
"We have received those reports but these are relatives [of the Ampatuans] who have transferred for the meantime here in Metro Manila because of the ongoing operations in Maguindanao," Espina said.
Of the arrested Ampatuan clan members, only Andal Ampatuan Jr., the prime suspect in the massacre who is also the mayor of Datu Unsay town, is in Manila. He is detained at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) compound to face the murder charges filed against him.
Most of the victims of the massacre were members of the rival Mangudadatu clan. Dozens of journalists were also killed in what is now considered as the worst case of political violence in the country. - KBK, GMANews.TV
This was after reports that at least 300 supporters of the powerful Ampatuan political clan, the suspects in the massacre that killed 57 people, have left for Metro Manila to escape the ongoing operations by government security forces in Maguindanao.
A report by GMA News' Susan Enriquez aired over the special edition of "24 Oras" Sunday night said two tanks are currently on standby in Camp Aguinaldo ready for possible deployment any time.
The report said the military's National Capital Region Command (NCRCom) has placed its troops on blue alert - the second highest alert level in the military - last Friday, the day Malacañang issued Proclamation 1959 placing the entire Maguindanao under martial law.
"The organic personnel of the NCRCom are on ready section, ready to be deployed any time if the situation so arises," said Lt. Col. Jesus Nava, head of NCRComs' command operations center.
The report said troops from the Army, Navy and Air Force have already been alerted for possible deployment any time. Intelligence information gathering has also been intensified.
So far, Metro Manila remains safe from any threat related to the Maguindanao turmoil, Nava said. "The [Armed Forces of the Philippines] is in control of the situation in Manila in coordination with the [Philippine National Police]."
The PNP, on the other hand, said the happenings in Maguindanao, about 545 miles (880 kilometers) south of Manila, are unlikely to reach the nation's capital, according to a separate report in "24 Oras."
"As far as the information that we have received... there are no spillovers here in Metro Manila. We're just reckoning with Maguindanao," said PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina.
He belittled reports that 300 men associated with the Ampatuan clan are now in the metropolis.
"We have received those reports but these are relatives [of the Ampatuans] who have transferred for the meantime here in Metro Manila because of the ongoing operations in Maguindanao," Espina said.
Of the arrested Ampatuan clan members, only Andal Ampatuan Jr., the prime suspect in the massacre who is also the mayor of Datu Unsay town, is in Manila. He is detained at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) compound to face the murder charges filed against him.
Most of the victims of the massacre were members of the rival Mangudadatu clan. Dozens of journalists were also killed in what is now considered as the worst case of political violence in the country. - KBK, GMANews.TV
Ampatuan lawyer files petition for bail (1:01 p.m.) (Sun Star)
Ampatuan lawyer files petition for bail (1:01 p.m.) (Sun Star)
LAWYER of Datu Unsay, Maguindanao Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. filed a petition for bail before the Regional Trial Court in Cotabato City Monday.
Ampatuan Jr. remains detained at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Manila. He was earlier charged with 25 counts of murder after being tagged as the primary suspect of the massacre of 57 people in Maguindanao last November 23. (Sunnex)
LAWYER of Datu Unsay, Maguindanao Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. filed a petition for bail before the Regional Trial Court in Cotabato City Monday.
Ampatuan Jr. remains detained at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Manila. He was earlier charged with 25 counts of murder after being tagged as the primary suspect of the massacre of 57 people in Maguindanao last November 23. (Sunnex)
Friday, December 4, 2009
Philippine troops found ammunition in Ampatuan house in Maguindanao
Philippine troops found ammunition in Ampatuan house in Maguindanao
www.chinaview.cn 2009-12-04 14:03:17 Print
SHARIFF AGUAK, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- Philippine government troops searched Friday morning the house of detained Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. for weapons and ammunitions.
Lt. Col. Leo Ferrer, commander of the Army's 601st Brigade, said troops recovered boxes of ammunition at Andal Jr.'s house here.
Andal Jr., a scion of the powerful Ampatuan clan, is the top suspect for the Nov. 23 massacre which claimed 57 lives including journalists and members of a rival clan. He is now detained in Manila and has been charged with 25 counts of murder.
Philippine police and military, carrying search warrants, also searched the houses of Andal Jr.'s two siblings and his father, former Maguindanao Governor Andal Ampatuan Sr.
Thursday, government soldiers unearthed a cache of sophisticated weapons and ammunition at a vacant lot near the Ampatuan's compound.
Editor: Anne Tang
www.newsrunner.com
www.chinaview.cn 2009-12-04 14:03:17 Print
SHARIFF AGUAK, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- Philippine government troops searched Friday morning the house of detained Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. for weapons and ammunitions.
Lt. Col. Leo Ferrer, commander of the Army's 601st Brigade, said troops recovered boxes of ammunition at Andal Jr.'s house here.
Andal Jr., a scion of the powerful Ampatuan clan, is the top suspect for the Nov. 23 massacre which claimed 57 lives including journalists and members of a rival clan. He is now detained in Manila and has been charged with 25 counts of murder.
Philippine police and military, carrying search warrants, also searched the houses of Andal Jr.'s two siblings and his father, former Maguindanao Governor Andal Ampatuan Sr.
Thursday, government soldiers unearthed a cache of sophisticated weapons and ammunition at a vacant lot near the Ampatuan's compound.
Editor: Anne Tang
www.newsrunner.com
Thursday, December 3, 2009
UN Experts: Maguindanao massacre must be the start of a major reform process
GENEVA — The brutal killing of 57 people in Maguindanao, including some 30 journalists, should be seen as a watershed moment for the Philippines, according to two United Nations human rights experts. Philip Alston, Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial executions, and Frank La Rue, Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression, said that “the pre-meditated killing of political opponents, combined with a massive assault on the media, must be tackled at various levels that go well beyond standard murder investigations.”
In a statement, the two UN experts indicated that the initial responses of the Government had been encouraging. “The first step”, they noted, “is to ensure that the police investigation is comprehensive and independent, and employs the highest professional standards. It must also be followed by effective prosecutions of all those responsible for the killings.” They added, however, that the massacre also demanded a more extensive reflection on the elite family-dominated manipulation of the political processes and the need to eliminate such practices in order to assure the future of democracy in the Philippines.
“This will require a thorough-going investigation of the broader context to be undertaken by a credible and independent body, appointed with full legal powers to carry out an effective inquiry and make recommendations.” The UN experts expressed their particular dismay at the wholesale killings of journalists and emphasized that any broader inquiry into the political system would need to focus on the ways and means of enhancing protection for journalists in the future.
A third, but even more urgent step is also required according to the UN experts. “Elections in the Philippines have traditionally become occasions for widespread extrajudicial executions of political opponents. There is every indication that the run-up to the May elections will sound the death knell for many political activists.” Alston and La Rue added that “the Government should acknowledge this likelihood and immediately establish a high-level task force, with broad political support, to identify the measures that should be taken to prevent killings that occur in the lead-up to the elections”.
“The Maguindinao killings are a tragedy of the first order”, said the experts. But the challenge now is to go beyond a criminal law response and to take measures designed to protect the media in particular, and freedom of expression in general, and to prevent election-related violence in the months ahead. “The international community will be monitoring the Government’s response very carefully”, they added.
Disclaimer | What you are reading is either a press release/ statement or a manifesto. These materials do not go through the editorial process of HowAreYouPhilippines and do not reflect our policy or position.
In a statement, the two UN experts indicated that the initial responses of the Government had been encouraging. “The first step”, they noted, “is to ensure that the police investigation is comprehensive and independent, and employs the highest professional standards. It must also be followed by effective prosecutions of all those responsible for the killings.” They added, however, that the massacre also demanded a more extensive reflection on the elite family-dominated manipulation of the political processes and the need to eliminate such practices in order to assure the future of democracy in the Philippines.
“This will require a thorough-going investigation of the broader context to be undertaken by a credible and independent body, appointed with full legal powers to carry out an effective inquiry and make recommendations.” The UN experts expressed their particular dismay at the wholesale killings of journalists and emphasized that any broader inquiry into the political system would need to focus on the ways and means of enhancing protection for journalists in the future.
A third, but even more urgent step is also required according to the UN experts. “Elections in the Philippines have traditionally become occasions for widespread extrajudicial executions of political opponents. There is every indication that the run-up to the May elections will sound the death knell for many political activists.” Alston and La Rue added that “the Government should acknowledge this likelihood and immediately establish a high-level task force, with broad political support, to identify the measures that should be taken to prevent killings that occur in the lead-up to the elections”.
“The Maguindinao killings are a tragedy of the first order”, said the experts. But the challenge now is to go beyond a criminal law response and to take measures designed to protect the media in particular, and freedom of expression in general, and to prevent election-related violence in the months ahead. “The international community will be monitoring the Government’s response very carefully”, they added.
Disclaimer | What you are reading is either a press release/ statement or a manifesto. These materials do not go through the editorial process of HowAreYouPhilippines and do not reflect our policy or position.
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