Filtered By: Topstories
News

3 Ampatuans kicked out of Lakas-Kampi over massacre


(Updated 11:59 p.m.) The administration Lakas-Kampi-CMD party on Wednesday night expelled three members of the powerful Ampatuan clan from its roster over their alleged involvement in the grisly massacre of more than 50 people in Maguindanao province. Ousted from the party were Datu Unsay mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr.; his brother, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) governor Zaldy Ampatuan; and their father, former Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan Sr. Sarangani governor Miguel Dominguez, the party's president, said they arrived at the decision during a meeting of the executive committee at around 8 p.m. at the Linden Suites in Ortigas, Pasig. Dominguez said the members of the committee "voted unanimously" to expel the Ampatuans. "This is a way to discipline the erring party members. What happened in Maguindanao was something nobody can really stomach," Dominguez told GMANews.TV in a phone interview.

Arroyo allies Dominguez said the committee also decided to revoke the certificates of nomination and acceptance previously issued to them. The Ampatuans, known allies of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, are blamed for the massacre of 57 civilians, including members of the rival Mangudadatu clan and several journalists, who were seized and killed Monday at Ampatuan town. The victims were in a convoy on its way to Shariff Aguak to file the certificate of candidacy of Buluan vice mayor Ismael "Toto" Mangudadatu, who is running for governor in the May 2010 elections. The Ampatuans were expelled "for their failure to uphold party ideals and principles in their area of jurisdiction, specifically relating to the peaceful, legal, and democratic pursuit and exercise of political power," said party chairman and presidential bet, Gilberto Teodoro Jr. Andal Ampatuan Sr. and Zaldy Ampatuan were also stripped of their duties and responsibilities as the party provincial chairman for Maguindanao and regional chairman for ARMM, respectively. Earlier in the day, Teodoro, a former Defense secretary, called on the party "to take the decisive step" against the Ampatuans. Local and international media groups also condemned the killings, with the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) saying the incident made the Philippines the world’s most dangerous place now for media workers. No sacred cows President Arroyo said there should be no sacred cows in going after the people behind the massacre, which was condemned by both the United Nations and the European Union. "The perpetrators will not escape justice. We'll hunt them until they're caught," she said. Malacañang has declared Thursday, November 26, 2009, as a day of mourning for the massacre victims. The Philippine National Police (PNP), meanwhile, is yet to charge the Ampatuans for the massacre. "It is most proper to term them [Ampatuans] as possible suspects. When we file the case, they [will be] considered as suspects," said PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina, adding that they are still gathering evidence and statements to strengthen their case. Among the evidence investigators are looking into that could possibly link the Ampatuans to the massacre are the backhoe retrieved from the massacre site, on which the name Gov. Andal Ampatuan is printed; the phone call of Toto's wife, Genalyn, to her husband shortly before she was killed; and the statements of four witnesses in the custody of the Mangundadatus. The Ampatuans, through presidential adviser on Mindanao affairs Jesus Dureza, said they are willing to face any investigation. Cafgus The military meanwhile disbanded its Special Cafgu Active Auxiliary in Maguindanao after its members were linked to the massacre. Armed Forces public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner Jr. siad the move would pave the way for the investigation against the SCAAs that were formed allegedly on the request of the Ampatuans who claimed they were being threatened by Moro rebels in the area. Two companies composed of more or less 60 men each were disbanded upon orders from acting Armed Forces chief Lt. Gen. Rodrigo Maclang, according to Brawner. “This is part of the Plan of Action of the Armed Forces of the Philippines following the declaration of State of Emergency in the area. The order also includes that all guns, uniforms, and ammunitions issued to members of SCAA in Maguinadanao be turned over to the AFP command," he said. The military had issued these Cafgus with M14 and Garand rifles. - with reports from Aie Balagtas See and Mark Merueñas/KBK, GMANews.TV
LOADING CONTENT