Armed men fire at GMA News team covering Maguindanao

(UPDATE 3 - 6:23 pm) Unidentified armed men fired twice at a news team of GMA Network-Davao while the group was about to take footage of Datu Hoffer Ampatuan municipal hall in Maguindanao province. The team composed of reporter John Paul Seniel and cameramen Leoar Cajes and Randy Acedilla emerged unhurt from the incident as they were able to scamper away to safety. The shooting took place nearly three weeks after 57 people, including 30 journalists, were allegedly killed by members of the powerful Ampatuan clan. After the grisly killings, media and human rights watchdogs said the Philippines had become the world's most dangerous place for journalists. Seniel said his team went to the area to shoot a documentary about the wealth and power of the Ampatuan clan when the incident took place. He said the documentary for GMA-Davao's public affairs program would also tackle the issue about the luxurious municipal hall, which was named after the son of Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan Sr. However, when they started to set up their equipment to take footage, the group heard two shots that were apparently aimed at them. "Nang pumuwesto kami sa pagkuha sa nasabing municipal hall, nakarinig kami ng isang putok. At sa ikalawang pagpuwesto ay nasundan pa ito ng isang putok," said Seniel. (When we positioned ourselves at the municipal hall, we heard a gunshot. It was followed by another one when we again tried to position ourselves in the area.) Fearing for their lives, Seniel and the cameramen hurriedly went out of the building. The news team later found out from soldiers who manned a checkpoint along the highway in Shariff Aguak town, that the municipal hall was considered a "danger zone." Seniel said that before his team went to the area, they were informed by authorities that it was safe to take footage of the hall that was being guarded by soldiers. - with reports from Al Jacinto, ARCS/RJAB Jr. GMANews.TV