Mansions of Ampatuan clan targeted by grenade attacks

Separate grenade attacks targeted two mansions of the Ampatuan family on Sunday night, amid rumors that detained members of the clan, who are facing charges for the massacre of at least 57 people last November 23, are supposedly getting "VIP treatment" in their cells. But unidentified men who launched the attacks on the mansions in the towns of Shariff Aguak and Datu Unsay missed their mark, police said. Superintendent Alex Lenesis, Maguindanao police director, said the first grenade landed at the back of a mosque inside the palatial home of Andal Ampatuan, Sr. A second grenade landed beside a Petron gas station near the mansion of Andal Jr., mayor of Datu Unsay. Nobody was hurt but the twin incidents, which occurred in succession, triggered panic and fear among the residents, Lenesis said. Meanwhile, the issue about the special treatment the Ampatuans are supposedly getting in their detention cells drew the attention of Malacañang, prompting palace officials to order a probe on the matter. Attacks According to Lenesis, an M-79 grenade launcher attack occurred at around 10 p.m. on Sunday. The grenade landed at the back of a mosque and damaged the concrete walls inside the compound. The Ampatuan mansion has been secured by Philippine Army troopers since December 5, when the Ampatuan patriarch was arrested and brought to Davao City. Lenesis said while police and military were conducting a joint investigation of the blast site, another grenade from an M-79 launcher exploded at the back of a Petron gas station, some 100 meters away from Andal Jr.'s mansion. No one has claimed responsibility for the attacks, Lenesis said, but he theorized that the perpetrator may have miscalculated the trajectory of the launches. He also said Moro Islamic Liberation Front guerrillas who were out to get even with the Ampatuans might have masterminded the assaults. But, Colonel Benito de Leon, commander of the Philippine Army's 104th Brigade, said the military has not received reports on the alleged attacks. Instead, he said they have been informed that a five-minute clash between government forces and outlaws ensued "just outside" the Ampatuan residence in the Poblacion of Shariff Aguak about 9:40 p.m. at last Sunday. De Leon said the clash took place "very close" to the Ampatuan property, but he could not tell what group engaged the government forces as there were several gangs there waiting to for their chance to "loot" the almost 10,000-square-meter palatial residence of the powerful clan. Meanwhile, Jack Ampatuan, mayor of Raja Buayan town, said there has been a series of nightly robbery incidents and explosions since last week in Shariff Aguak, where he maintains his residence. “Gunmen attempted to rob my home but the timely arrival of police and soldiers thwarted the attempt," he said. Without identifying the supposed robbers, Jack Ampatuan said the target of burglars were the Ampatuan mansions in Shariff Aguak. He said the firing of grenade launchers and mortars toward the Ampatuan mansions was carried out in desperation over foiled robbery attempts. VIP treatment probe In Malacañang, deputy presidential spokesman Gary Olivar on Sunday said that an investigation on the supposed special treatment for the Ampatuans was forthcoming, but he insisted that their basic rights must be respected, even if they are considered suspects in a heinous crime. “Siyempre. Kung may paglabag ng alituntunin imbestigahan yan (Of course it should be investigated. Any violation of rules should be investigated)," Olivar said in an interview on dzXL radio. Radio dzBB on Monday cited reports from General Santos City that four members of the Ampatuan clan enjoy mobile phone use, catered meals, and cleaning services in their cells. The four detained members of the clan are suspended Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan; former Maguindanao acting Gov. Sajid; Shariff Aguak town Mayor Anwar; and Maguindanao Vice-Gov. Akmad. They are detained at the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) compound at the Philippine National Police headquarters inside Camp Fermin G. Lira, Jr. Surprised DOJ chief Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera said she was surprised over the supposed VIP treatment of the Ampatuans, but added she would look into it. “Wala kaming ganoong report na binibigyan ng special treatment. Aalamin natin kasi PNP yan (We have not received any report of VIP treatment. We will look into that because the detainees are under Philippine National Police custody)," Devanadera said in a separate interview on dzXL radio. She said that if their investigation finds there is indeed VIP treatment, those involved may be charged. “Pero bago tayo maghusga alamin muna natin (Before we make any judgments we must find out the truth)," she said. Meanwhile, Vice Mayor Esmael Mangudadatu of Buluan in Maguindanao pushed for charges against those found liable for the alleged special treatment. Mangudadatu lost his wife Genalyn and several supporters in the Nov. 23 massacre. “Kung napatunayan at may witnesses yan magkakaroon ng kaukulang pagsampa laban sa tao na nagbibigay ng VIP treatment sa kanila (If there is enough evidence and there are witnesses, it is but proper that those giving VIP treatment to the Ampatuans be punished)," he said in a separate interview on dzXL. Malacañang's deadline Olivar said President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo wants the massacre case resolved before she steps down from office on June 30 this year. He added that President Arroyo wants private armies nationwide dismantled by that time. — LBG/NPA, GMANews.TV