New witness pins Ampatuans;
clans massing for protests


But military says it can handle situation
BY VICTOR REYES

THE military yesterday said its forces are on the lookout as in the light of reports that supporters of the Mangudadatu and Ampatuan political clans in Maguindanao are massing for protests and counter-protests.

Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner, chief of the AFP public affairs office, said while it is the right of the supporters to hold protest actions, security forces would have to "intervene" if they resort to violence.

At least 57 civilians, mostly members of the Mangudadatu clan and media men, were killed Monday last week in Maguindanao.

The massacre is being blamed on the Ampatuans.

Brawner said the massing up of the supporters is a cause of concern but said the Armed Forces is "on top of the situation."

"We are in control of that area," he said.

Brawner said some 3,000 soldiers are deployed in Maguindanao, Cotabato City and Sultan Kudarat to maintain peace and order and to protect the civilians in the area. The government placed the three areas under a state of emergency following the massacre.

Asked what the military will do in case of a massing-up, he said: "The first thing would be to try to negotiate with their leaders and try to convince them not to mass up or do any massive actions if they have no permits."

Security officials have suspended all permits to carry firearms outside residence as a consequence of the implementation of the state of emergency.

Brawner said based on their information, the mass actions being planned by supporters of both camps are "not really alarming." However, he could not say how many supporters are massing up.

Brawner said the military is not planning to deploy more forces in Maguindanao because the situation has started to stabilize. Nevertheless, he said troops are on standby for deployment in the province if the need arises.

"According to the commanders on the ground, more or less it (situation) is stable," said Brawner. He said the troops will remain in the area "until we attain normalcy in the area."

Brawner said the military is prepared to provide the assistance if authorities order the arrest of Andal Ampatuan Sr.

Hundreds of soldiers backed by battle tanks secured Jesus Dureza, presidential adviser on Mindanao Affairs, and AFP Eastern Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Raymundo Ferrer last Wednesday when they took into custody Andal Ampatuan Jr., mayor of Datu Unsay town and principal suspect in the massacre.

Ampatuan Jr. is being tagged by the Mangudadatus as having ordered the killing.

The Mangudadatus, on Monday last week, were on their way to submit the certificate of candidacy of Esmael "Toto" Mangudadatu, vice mayor of Buluan town who is running for governor, when some 100 men allegedly led by Ampatuan Jr. intercepted them, herded to a remote hillside village, and subsequently executed them.

Ampatuan Jr. is facing multiple murder charges and is now detained at the NBI main office in Manila.

The PNP has revoked the licenses of Ampatuan Jr.’s 19 firearms.

Records at the CSG-Firearms and Explosives Division show Andal Uy Ampatuan Jr. is licensed to possess four cal.45 pistols, two 9mm pistols, three cal.40 pistols, two cal.380 pistols, a cal.357and a 5.7mm handguns, four shotguns and two high-powered rifles.

"His possession of these firearms is already illegal as his privilege to own those firearms has been revoked pursuant to existing regulations. The CSG is giving Ampatuan reasonable time to surrender all firearms covered by the revoked licenses," said Chief Supt. Ireneo Bacolod, chief of the Civil Security Group.

Bacolod said the firearms are now subject to forfeiture in favor of the government.

If Ampatuan Jr. fails to surrender the firearms, the PNP will ask the court for a search warrant, he said.

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said the government is having difficulty preventing clan wars from escalating as he said "rido" of blood feud is deeply imbedded in the culture, especially in Mindanao.

He expressed hope disarming civilians, together with the introduction of development programs in Mindanao, would eventually address the problem.

He also said President Arroyo has been doing her best to address the problem but it is unlikely to be solved "in a few years or within one term."

A key ally of President Arroyo at the House urged her to declare martial law in Maguindanao and effect warrantless arrests if needed "to suppress lawless violence."

Rep. Mat Defensor (Lakas-Kampi CMD, Quezon City), chair of the House committee on justice, said "barbaric acts require drastic counteractions."

Defensor, who also chairs the Lakas-Kampi-CMD in Quezon City, said assessing the Maguindanao situation, he believes that the "most reasonable and quickest way to bring back law and order in the province and seek justice for victims of this most despicable act of violence is to place the entire province under martial law."

Aware that his proposal will draw criticisms, Defensor urged the public to argue on his recommendation "not on the basis of political expediency but on the basis of how Filipinos could best obtain justice for the slain women, journalists and civilians."

Defensor also said the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus should also be considered as an option to avoid further bloodshed in the province. – With Raymond Africa, Jocelyn Montemayor and Wendell Vigilia

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