Philippine Elections: 36 massacred in Maguindanao

Datu Andal Ampatuan, Governor of Maguindanao

A close ally of Philippine president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is now the primary suspect and mastermind behind the gruesome massacre of some thirty six (36) civilian sympathizers and mediamen of his political rival in Maguindanao.

Datu Andal Ampatuan, Governor of Maguindanao, is being blamed for ordering the killing of the wife and sympathizers of rival candidate Buluan Town Vice Mayor Toto Mangundadatu.

Initial reports say that the convoy bearing the wife of Mangundadatu was on its way to Sharif Aguak town when it was blocked by around 50 armed men believed to be Datu Andal Ampatuan’s private army. The convoy was on its way to the Commission on Elections office because Genalyn, the wife of Mangundadatu is to file his Certificate of Candidacy for governor.

The armed men then took the convoy to the village of Masalay in Datu Abdullah Ssangki town in Maguindanao. The group stopped in an area near a MNLF camp. It was there, says witnesses, that the kidnapped victims were brutally killed. Most of the women, reports say, were raped.

Ishmael Mangundadatu, brother of the vice mayor identified those killed as lawyers Cynthia Oquendo and Connie Brizuela; Mr. Oquendo, the father of Cynthia; Bai Eden Mangudadatu, sister of the vice mayor; Rowena Mangudadatu; Manguba Bai Mangudadatu; and Farida Mangudadatu, the vice mayor’s youngest sister;

Also kidnapped were: Journalists Ian Tublan, Leah Dalmacio, Gina dela Cruz, Marites Cabutas, Bart Maravilla of Bombo radyo Koronadal; Joy Duay; Henry Araneta of DZRH; Andy Teodoro; Bong Reblando of Manila Bulletin; Mac-mac Areola; Jimmy Cabillo; and Nening Montaño of DXCP;

* Supporters and staff of the vice mayor, drivers Rasul Daud, Eugene Dohilyo, Chito, Abdula Hajdi and Patrick Pamansan; Wahida Ali Kaliman; Farida Sabdula; Zoraida Vernan; Victor Nuñez; certain Unto; Zaida Abdul; Pinky Balayman; Ella Balayman; Rahima Piopo, who came from Palawan; Farina Mangudadatu and Meriam Calico.

Buluan town Mayor Ebrahim Mangudadatu said 20 bodies were initially recovered earlier but more bodies were seen scattered in the area.

Mangudadatu said some of the victims were buried. He said a backhoe, which was apparently used to dig the graves, was still in the area.

The backhoe even had “A Property of the Provincial Government of Maguindanao” printed on it, the mayor said.

The journalists with the group were there to cover the filing of the certificate of candidacy by Buluan town vice mayor Ishmael “Toto” Mangudadatu.

The 34 journalists, aboard three vehicles, were part of the convoy led by vice mayor Eden Mangudadatu of Mangudadatu town in Maguindanao, who was tasked by his brother to file his COC with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) provincial office in Shariff Aguak town, Maguindanao.

Vice mayor Mangudadatu of Buluan town earlier told the Inquirer by phone that he received a text message around 10 a.m. Monday, that the convoy was intercepted along the national highway particularly in the boundary of Ampatuan and Sharif Aguak towns.

Mangudadatu sent his wife and two sisters and several other women supporters to formally file his COC with the Comelec to avoid creating tension.

In Manila, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said that 21 bodies were recovered but the military said they were found in Barangay Salman, Ampatuan town in Maguindanao.

Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner Jr., the spokesman of the Armed Forces said that out of the scores of relatives and supporters of Mangudadatu who were reported abducted, 21 have been confirmed killed. (with reports from the Philippine Daily Inquirer)