UP Ibalon Bicol: Ampatuan

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Arms cache found in massacre suspect's home

12/07/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post

When the police and government soldiers were dispatched to investigate the house of Datu Unsay town Mayor Andal Ampatuan, Jr’s home, they found a cache of weapons. The raid was conducted after authorities found a cache of arms near the home of ARRM governor Zaldy Ampatuan, one of the main suspects in the Maguindanao Mssacre that killed at least 57 people. Hidden in shallow earth about 500 meters from the home of the governor’s mansion were ammunitions and weapons which could supply two battalions.

“In two shallow pits, soldiers of the 73rd Infantry Battalion found two anti-tank bazookas; four 60mm mortars; two 80mm mortars; a 90mm recoilless rifle; three M60 machine guns; a 57mm recoilless rifle; a Barrett sniper rifle; two Browning automatic rifles; a .50-cal. heavy machine gun; a 9mm pistol; seven .45 pistols; an Ultimax light machine gun; a Bushmaster carbine; a Heckler & Koch 11 light support machine gun; and thousands of rounds of ammunition for M16 rifles still in boxes marked “Arms Corporation of the Philippines,” with the October 2008 date of Manufacture stamped on them. “---Manila Standard (12/05/09, solmerin, F.S.; Requejo, R. E.)

Col. Leo Ferrer, of the Army’s 601st Brigade was surprised by the ammunition that was found. According to Ferrer, the Ampatuans have about 2,000 men in their private army. In comparison, the MILF have about 3,000 soldiers. (Photo Credit: flames of war) =0=

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Labels: ammunition, Ampatuan, Arms, Maguindanao, Massacre, Totie Mesia, weapons

Maguindanao Massacre: death toll climbs with 22 mediamen dead

11/25/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post

Officials said 57 dead bodies were recovered in the site of massacre which occurred in Maguindanao, Philippines. The senseless political killings were reportedly carried out by the influential Ampatuan clan against political rival family--- the Mangudadatus. Wrapped in banana leaves, many of the bodies were not yet identified, but among the fatalities were 22 media men. Update of casualties was placed at 57 dead as of November 25, 2009.

“The journalists were accompanying several women of the powerful Mangudadatu clan to file the candidacy of one of the family for the provincial governor's post in elections next year.

No men from the family were present, since they believed that women would not be attacked by rivals.

Their convoy was stopped by about 100 armed men, who herded them to a remote hillside and attacked them with M-16 rifles and machetes. Two of their vehicles and many bodies were thrown into a freshly-dug pit and covered with earth by an excavator.”---Reuters (11/25/09, Castro, E.)

Pres. Gloria M. Arroyo declared a state of emergency in Maguindanao Province to help investigate and apprehend the gunmen and the brains of the heinous killings. Hundreds of military troops were deployed in the area to lessen the tension and prevent more violence to erupt.

The aggrieved Buluan vice-mayor Ismael Mangudadatu who lost his wife and other family members have pointed to the supporters of Maguindanao Governor Andal Ampatuan, Sr. and his son Datu Unsay mayor Andal Ampatuan, Jr as those behind the despicable murders, but government authorities have yet to arrest the suspects.

Joining the entire world in condemning the brutal crime, the United Nations secretary general Ban Ki- Moon expressed dismay and shock among groups like the European Union, and various diplomatic missions.

Although Pres. Arroyo, a known political ally of the Ampatuans vowed that justice will be served to avenge the dead, many are skeptical. Unsolved political killings especially in Muslim South are usually unsolved and unpunished in the Philippines. (Photo Credits: Reuters/ de Castro, E.; AP/ Marquez, B.; AP/ Favila, A.) =0=

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Labels: Ampatuan, crime, journalist, Justice, Maguindanao, Mangudadatu, Massacre, Mindanao, murder, politics, Totie Mesia

UP Ibalon Bicol

Arms cache found in massacre suspect's home

Maguindanao Massacre: death toll climbs with 22 mediamen dead

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