Datu Andal Ampatuan Sr. with Jesus Dureza
Forty six cadavers were recovered in a shallow grave in Sharif Aguak in the province of Maguindanao, mostly members of the Mangundadatu family, civilian sympathizers and members of the media. And Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. is being blamed for the horrendous massacre.
The European Union (EU) called the Maguindanao massacre “barbaric”. Other groups have condemned the massacre as “horrendous” and “acts of animals.”
Government, in response, declared a state of emergency in Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat and Cotabato. The declaration affects 1.5 million people.
Sources however fear that the war between the Ampatuans and the Mangundadatus would spill over Davao City, where a big number of relatives of both clans live.
Presidential adviser Jesus Dureza already talked with the Ampatuans and the Mangundadatus. Dureza said both clans have assured him that they will respect the rule of law. It seems though that Malacanang just turned pussy foot since the Ampatuans are close allies of Mrs. Arroyo.
In 2004, then Governor Andal Ampatuan Sr. delivered a crushing blow to opposition presidential candidate Fernando Poe Jr when he delivered zero votes and favored incumbent president Mrs. Gloria Arroyo. Many believe the Ampatuans hold some unsavory details about Hello Garci that the palace is afraid of touching the warlord of Maguindanao.
It remains to be seen how this issue will unfold, considering that the world is monitoring this with keen eyes. If the Ampatuans escape the full force of the law, then, there is no use for government.
November 25th, 2009 @ Ricky Rivera
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