AMPATUAN, Maguindanao, Philippines – Police and troops sighted yesterday armed Ampatuan partisans in the hinterlands of Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat and in Cotabato City.
Army Maj. Randolph Cabangbang told The STAR about 60 of them were seen scampering in different directions as troops and police advanced.
Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) forces in Sultan sa Barongis town have reinforced troops hunting down the remaining Ampatuan fighters, he added.
Cabangbang said troops will raid more areas in Maguindanao in search of high-powered firearms as soon as the military gets the search warrants from the General Santos City Regional Trial Court.
“Out of the 25 municipalities in Maguindanao, we are targeting 16 of them for the raid and these are the municipalities known as controlled by the Ampatuans,” he said.
“We can get a lot more evidence and high-powered firearms,” he said.
Ampatuan trial starts Jan. 5
The trial of Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. of Datu Unsay, Maguindanao, principal accused in the Nov. 23 Maguindanao massacre, will start at the Police Non-Commission Office Club in Camp Crame, Quezon City on Jan. 5.
In Cotabato City, Judge Melanio Guerrero of Cotabato RTC Branch 15 has not ordered the transfer to Metro Manila of the Ampatuans jailed in Cotabato City, General Santos City and Davao City.
Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina, Philippine National Police spokesman, said indignation rallies will not be allowed inside Camp Crame.
“We are very optimistic that it would be all systems go for the hearing come Jan. 5,” he said.
“We will allow the (protesters) as long as they have permits. We will observe maximum tolerance.
“I expect those who will be covering the trial to observe camp rules. They do not have to express their indignation because they have properly expressed it,” he added.
Espina said 300 policemen will be tasked to maintain peace and order inside Camp Crame during the proceedings.
“They (policemen) will be manning strategic posts, the ingress and egress of people, traffic and all points of interest regarding the hearing,” he said.
GMA wants conviction
President Arroyo wants the perpetrators of the Maguindanao massacre convicted before she steps down in June next year, Malacañang said yesterday.
Presidential economic spokesman Gary Olivar said he is not surprised that Mrs. Arroyo would like the mass murder resolved before her terms ends.
“The important thing is to administer justice impartially, fairly, and then as quickly as possible consistent with those objectives,” he said.
Olivar said Malacañang is satisfied with the pace of the investigation and prosecution of the case.
“I haven’t seen anything yet to tell me people are dragging their feet on this,” he said.
“I think people are moving on this as fast as the process will allow them in the administration of impartial justice (but) sometimes some cases really do move slower than others for various reasons.”
While everybody wants justice to be immediately served, it is also prudent that the case be resolved carefully to ensure fairness, Olivar said.
Mrs. Arroyo will preside over a Cabinet meeting in Baguio City today where the Maguindanao situation would be on top of the agenda.
Cabinet officials said she will study the possible lifting of the state of emergency in Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat and General Santos City as peace and order appear to be improving.
DOJ ends probe
The Department of Justice (DOJ) concluded yesterday its investigation into the cold-blooded killing of 57 people in Maguindanao last Nov. 23.
Around 60 of some 200 respondents were able to file counter-affidavits during the proceedings that lasted a month.
Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera said all respondents have been given ample time to answer the charges in two hearings.
However, most of them, including alleged masterminds Adal Jr. and his father Maguindanao Gov. Andal Sr., waived their right to submit a counter-affidavit, she added.
Devanadera said the consolidated complaints filed by the PNP and National Bureau of Investigation have been submitted for resolution.
“The panel will now study the submitted counter-affidavits and evidence, which will be the bases for the resolution,” she said.
Devanadera said the panel led by Senior State Prosecutor Rosanne Balauag would issue a resolution on or before Feb. 2, 2010 to comply with a DOJ rule that preliminary investigations must be completed within 60 days after filing of complaint.
Among those to be considered by the panel are the defense submitted by five Ampatuans – Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Gov. Zaldy, Acting Maguindanao Gov. Sajid Islam, Shariff Aguak Mayor Anwar, Akmad Tato and Saudi Jr. – and over 50 police officers tagged in the killing, including those being considered as state witnesses, she added.
The five Ampatuans were represented by lawyer Roberto Villanueva, who refused to reveal to reporters contents of the defense they have submitted to the panel.
Ampatuans given more time to submit defense
The DOJ has given seven Ampatuans and others accused of rebellion more time to submit their defense.
State Prosecutor Lamberto Fabros said all 638 respondents are given until Jan. 12 to submit counter-affidavits.
Only Barira town Mayor Alexander Tumawis submitted his counter-affidavit in yesterday’s preliminary investigation.
“There is no truth to this (allegation),” he told reporters.
“I have many friends to prove that I have nothing to do with it (alleged rebellion).”
Tumawis said he is not related to the Ampatuans and only deals with them as political allies.
He could not be involved in the rebellion as his town is two hours away from the bailiwick of the Ampatuans, he added.
Police have tagged five Ampatuans - Rajah Buayan Mayor Yacob Ampatuan, Mamasapano Mayor Banarin Ampatuan, Datu Ulo Ampatuan, Datu Ipi Ampatuan and Datu Kanor Ampatuan - as alleged leaders of the rebellion.
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