Gibo urges AFP to punish soldiers liable for arming Ampatuans

Gilberto Teodoro Jr., the administration party’s presidential bet, urged the Armed Forces to file charges against military men involved in providing firearms to the Ampatuan clan, whose members allegedly masterminded the November 23 massacre in Maguindanao. “The military officers responsible for the unlawful diversion of the government firearms and ammunitions must be punished," Teodoro told reporters Tuesday. The former defense secretary likewise said that the AFP should reveal the results of its investigation into the said diversion of military hardware. The AFP claims that the Ampatuans had kept a total of 1,500 firearms in their private arsenal, and that 900 had been accounted for by the time that martial law was lifted in Maguindanao in early December last year. Some of the weapons, which were recovered when the government placed the province under martial law following the brutal killing of at least 57 people in the Area, were reportedly stamped with markings that read “Department of National Defense (DND) Arsenal." [See: Guns, explosives, ammo unearthed near Ampatuan mansion] A lawyer of the Ampatuan clan, Philip Pantojan, wants Teodoro charged for allegedly letting the Ampatuans’ private army to acquire arms under his watch as defense secretary. [See: Gibo liable for arming Ampatuans - lawyer] Teodoro’s camp meanwhile denied involvement in arming the Ampatuan clan, saying Pantojan’s claims were “without basis." Teodoro likewise urged AFP Chief Gen. Victor Ibrado to ensure that the people’s confidence in the military institution continues despite the various controversies being hurled against it. – Andreo C. Calonzo/JV, GMANews.TV