Militants see cover-up
in probe of massacre
MILITANT lawmakers yesterday warned of a "Palace-led" cover-up of the Maguindanao massacre, saying President Arroyo may be a "political hostage" of the Ampatuan clan which is said to have brought victory to the administration in the province in the 2004 and 2007 elections.
Rep. Rafael Mariano (PL, Anakpawis) said the government’s "indecisiveness" could be a part of the continuing conspiracy on the 2004 and 2007 elections where Arroyo and her administration were accused of massive cheating, especially in Mindanao.
"The still unresolved 2004 and 2007 electoral fraud explains the Arroyo administration’s lack of political will. The truth behind the past two elections in Maguindanao has, in effect, made Ms. Arroyo a political hostage of the Ampatuans," he said.
Mariano noted that even the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) believes that the President’s declaration of a state of emergency in Maguindanao would only "provide the legal basis for preventing media from covering the investigation of the massacre and elections in the area."
"Instead of swiftly and decisively carrying out the arrest of the Ampatuans, Ms. Arroyo’s declaration of a state of emergency in Maguindanao will only galvanize the existing climate of fear in the province," he said.
Datu Unsay Mayor Datu Andal Ampatuan Jr., who is said to be the brains behind the killing, is a younger brother of Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan, a member of Arroyo’s ruling Lakas-Kampi-Christian Muslim Democrats.
The Ampatuans reportedly delivered all the needed votes to Arroyo’s candidacy in 2004 and to her allies who swept the polls in the area in the 2007 senatorial elections.
Rep. Teodoro Casiño (PL, Bayan Muna) said it clearly appears that the government "is handling the Ampatuans of Maguindanao with kid gloves."
"Lesser mortals would have been arrested and disarmed by now especially under a state of emergency. A double standard is clearly being applied for GMA’s warlord and electoral godfather in Maguindanao," he said. – Wendell Vigilia
More on News
- After 57 deaths, no suspects
- ‘Tuloy ang ligaya’ on pols’ infomercials
- Arroyo declares a day of mourning
- Terror, fear hinder journalists
- Ermita: Lakas is prepared if GMA decides to run
- Population growth alarms Popcom
- ‘Urduja’ is out; here comes ‘Vinta’
- Marcos favors armed reporters
- Militants see cover-up in probe of massacre