Skip to main content

Posts

Groups in Austria denounce Maguindanao massacre

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-maga...

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 t...

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 NCRC...

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)

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 comp...

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-domi...