Maguindanao Massacre, 46 dead

[antonio]

World condemns Maguindanao massacre
JOSEPH HOLANDES UBALDE, GMANews.TV
11/25/2009 | 10:45 AM

For its brazenness and sheer brutality, the United Nations led several other countries in condemning the mass slaughter of 46 people – including women and journalists – in a poll-related massacre in Maguindanao last Monday.

In a statement issued through his spokesman, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said he was "saddened" over the brutal killing, even as he condemned the "heinous crime."

"The Secretary-General is saddened by the reports of the brutal killing of more than 40 civilians in the Maguindanao province, Southern Philippines. He condemns this heinous crime committed in the context of a local election campaign," the statement read.

Ban also extended his "condolences" to the families of the victims and hopes that "no effort will be spared to bring justice and to hold the perpetrators accountable."

Likewise, ambassadors to the Philippines have made known their condemnation and abhorrence of the November 23 massacre.

British Ambassador Stephen Lillie issued on Wednesday a statement of condemnation, with the hope that "authorities in the Philippines will take urgent action to bring the perpetrators to justice and prevent further escalation of violence in the run-up to next year's elections here."

According to Lillie, "effective action" by the Philippine government is crucial for the British government to maintain confidence in the country.

In an interview with GMANews.TV, US Embassy deputy spokesperson Woosie Mazengia said: "We condemn such acts of violence in the strongest possible terms."

Mazengia also said that the US government is extending its condolences to the families of those killed.

Visiting Indonesian Foreign Minister Dr. Marty Natalegawa said their government feels for the Philippines’ tragedy and hopes the perpetrators will be brought to justice as soon as possible.

“As a decent human being one cannot help but feel a sense of abhorrence," Natalegawa told reporters at a press briefing in Manila.

“Any senseless killing, any senseless violence we condemn in the strongest possible term," he added.

In 1996, Indonesia facilitated the peace talks between the Philippine government and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in Mindanao. Natalegawa was, however, mum over questions whether such agreement could be facilitated by Indonesia for clan wars.

Meanwhile, Shigehiro Matsuda, third secretary from the Japanese embassy, said Japan is quite concerned with the security over Mindanao.

Matsuda said the Japan International Cooperation Agency and several non-governmental organizations in Janpa have projects in Mindanao.

"Japan is really sorry for the incident, but we hope the incident does not affect projects in Mindanao," Matsuda told GMANews.TV.

The massacre took place a few hours after around 50 gunmen allegedly led by Andal Ampatuan Jr., the mayor of Datu Unsay (a municipality in Maguindanao province), and a police officer later identified as Chief Inspector Sukarno Dicay seized members of a large convoy of supporters of Buluan Vice Mayor Esmael Mangudadatu, an Ampatuan clan opponent who wants to run for governor.

The convoy of Mangudadatu supporters, accompanied by journalists, was on its way to an electoral bureau headquarters to file documents related to his candidacy, which the gunmen wanted to prevent.

The fatalities included Mangudadatu’s wife, sister and other relatives.

Following the tragic killing of at least 12 journalists in Maguindanao, the Philippines has now dislodged Iraq as the most dangerous place for journalists in the world, the International Federation of Journalists said. - LG/RSJ, GMANews.TV

It echoes of the turmoil in Eastern Europe and the violence of Afganistan...
What do you guys think about it?

[S-2]

"It echoes of the turmoil in Eastern Europe and the violence of Afganistan...What do you guys think about it?"

I can't imagine that any here are in favor of politics by murder. Antonio, how about if you tell us what YOU think about it, if you don't mind? It seems that Andal Ampatuan Jr. and Chief Inspector Sukarno Dicay have been identified as perpetrators. Will they be arrested as suspects to these murders? If so, where will they be tried?

Are clan murders like this common to Mindanao?

[Parihaka]

I'm just shocked by it, I thought the Philippines had settled down

[Shamus]

I'm just shocked by it, I thought the Philippines had settled down

A good friend of mine's son is a Marine who was stationed on one of the smaller islands in the Phillipines...he said it was "very interesting" duty and could get slightly hairy at times.

[antonio]

It's a total shock to everyone. I mean, political assassinations and all that are relatively common but to murder the opposition's kin, reporters, lawyers, and innocent bystanders? That isn't politics or powerplaying... it's downright murder that has the familiar ring of the fascist regimes in it! Bodies have been found raped, beheaded, mutilated, and tied. Ballistics show that many were shot at the back of the head. They were executed up close by their killers.

I never expected my country to become a more dangerous place for journalists than Iraq.

I heard Ampatuan might attend a summon in the Supreme Court earlier today. The SC is right next to my college since it technically used to be one of the university buildings. I'm outraged enough that I'm seriously considering giving him a little dose of "lead poisoning".

WANKERS!

[dundonrl]

I'm just shocked by it, I thought the Philippines had settled down

the island of Mindinao has been a hotbed of islamic insurgency for hundreds of years..

[troung]

the island of Mindinao has been a hotbed of islamic insurgency for hundreds of years..

Sigh, it is all about local political power and the arrogance which goes with having a private militia and being a law onto oneself.

[antonio]

the island of Mindinao has been a hotbed of islamic insurgency for hundreds of years..

And probably for a hundred more...

[HillTribe]

Antonio, this is clan related violence not religious, right? Anything to do with Abu Sayaf?

[oliveryty]

Is it a failure of Democracy? Violence and Clan-politik... I don't think it should be part of democracy....

[antonio]

Antonio, this is clan related violence not religious, right? Anything to do with Abu Sayaf?

Yes, religion has little to do with it and the Abu Sayyaf are completely unrelated to this event. This happened in Maguindanao which has the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, a separatist insurgency. [Jeezus, reds in the northern islands and jihadists in the south...what a nightmare hoop-de-damn-doo!]

Religion is minimally involved in the sense that Mangudadatu sent his wife and some kin in the hopes that Islamic law and the rules of rigo or vendetta which specifically dictate that women, children, and the elderly are not to be harmed. Despite that, Ampatuan's men descended upon them like wolves against sheep.

Hell, I bet even the Taliban insurgents in the caves don't do this kind of slaughter...