Shocker of the YearMaguindanao massacre claims at least 36 lives
http://ph.news.yahoo.com/gma/20091123/tph-maguindanao-massacre-claims-at-least-ce44f36.html(Updated 7:42 p.m.) At least
36 people, mostly identified with Buluan, Maguindanao vice mayor Datu Ismail "Toto" Mangudadatu and including some media people, were abducted and later killed on Monday by gunmen allegedly led by members of the Ampatuan political clan.
Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner Jr., spokesman of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), said in a local television interview that 21 bodies - 13 female and eight male - have so far been recovered.
The victims were abducted about 10:30 a.m. while on their way to Maguindanao elections office to file a certificate of candidacy (COC) in behalf of Toto, who will run for governor in the province.
The 36 victims were among the more than 50 abducted by the suspects. Some of the victims were women and journalists covering the filing of the COC, according to a report in GMA News' "24 Oras."
"Away politika po ito dahil yung nangyari pong pagdukot sa mga kamag-anak ni (Mangudadatu) by the elements of Mayor Ampatuan, sa ngayon po tinitingnan natin itong anggulo na ito," Brawner said in "24 Oras."
ARMM Governor Datu Zaldy Ampatuan, center, joins Shariff Kabunsuan Congressman Didagen Dilangalen, left, in welcoming President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo upon her arrival at MSU-Maguindanao, Shariff Kabunsuan Province in this photo taken July 21, 2008. Ronald Navarro-PCPO Media men among victims
The National Union of Journalist (NUJP), which condemned the massacre, said the victims included at least 12 journalists. NUJP's Rowena Paraan identified them as Bart Maravilla of Bombo Radyo-Koronadal, Henry Araneta of DZRH-Cotabato, Bong Reblando of the Manila Bulletin, and Neneng Montano of radio station DXCP.
Reports from their chapters in Mindanao also listed the following media persons, whose affiliations were not immediately available, as among the victims: Ian Toblan, Leah Dalmacio, Gina dela Cruz, Marites Cabutas, Joy Duhay, Andy Teodoro, Mac-Mac Areola, and Jimmy Cabillo.
Toto's wife, Genalyn Tiamzon-Mangudadatu, was among those killed, according to Toto himself.
Madaser Mangudadato, assemblyman in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), said some of the victims were beheaded.
“I cannot give you the exact number of all the dead persons but rest assured merong namatay (some were killed), and according to the information, some of them were beheaded, some of them were shot to death and some of them sinagasaan (were run over by vehicles)," he said.
"Unequaled in history"
Presidential adviser on Mindanao affairs Jesus Dureza said the "gruesome massacre" was "unequaled in recent history."
"Even women and media men were not spared. There must be a total stop to this senseless violence," he said as he recommended the placing of the entire Maguindanao province under a state of emergency.
"Anything less will not work," he said.
In an earlier interview with Radio dzBB, Brawner said the abducted victims included Mayor Mangudadatu's sisters Bai Farinah and Bai Eden Mangudadatu, the incumbent vice mayor of Mangundadatu town, also in Maguindanao province.
Toto said other abducted victims were lawyers Connie Brizuela and Cynthia Oquendo, Rasul Daud, and Faridah Sabdulah, and some 30 journalists. He said the female victims were sexually assaulted. Heinous
"Karumdumal po talaga ang ginawa. Pinagdurog-durog ang ulo at yung mga pantalon nila binaba po, nakausli po yung mga ari ng babae (What they did was really heinous. The heads of the victims were bashed and the females stripped from the waist down)," he said.
Brawner said they were abducted by some 100 men allegedly led by Mayor Datu Unsay Ampatuan and one Police Senior Inspector Dicay of the Shariff Aguak police force.
The NUJP said the "Ampatuan massacre" went beyond the issue of freedom of the press.
"The Ampatuan massacre, which the military has confirmed was perpetrated by Shariff Aguak Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. and police Sr. Inspector Dicay, goes beyond the issue of freedom of the press and of expression and strikes at the very foundations of democracy," it said in a statement.
Despite the massacre, Toto said he would continue with his plans for 2010. "Tutuloy po ako (I will push through with my plan) and no one can compel me not to run for governor." - GMANews.TV
More: PNP vows pursuit of cops in Maguindanao massacre
http://politics.inquirer.net/view.php?db=1&article=20091123-237941At least 21 dead in Philippine 'political massacre'
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5huoIfNMO5zcoZipRU-FP2t5KD-1wAFP: Maguindanao death toll may reach 43
http://politics.inquirer.net/view.php?db=1&article=20091123-237939
