CBCS-KRMC Update

Background:

January 7, 2010 – (At dawn) Tamano Mamalapat, a CVO Commander and loyal to Ampatuans encountered with Commander Double S of 105th Base Command of MILF at sitio Balanaken, Barangay Kitapok, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao. Datu Mama reinforced Tamano while Datu Mando Tambungalan and Commander Basco, MNLF commanders support Commander Double S. the fighting was spread toward the Mamasapano and Datu Hoffer boarders, another more than 10 houses has been burned out in Datu Hoffer municipality.

Another incident took place on January 7, 2010 in the morning when Datu Saudi Councilor JUNREAL KAMAONG was ambushed and killed at Poblacion, Dapiawan, Datu Saudi Ampatuan Maguindanao. Kamaong and Mamalapat had a long standing family feud (rido) with Commander Castro of 104th Base Command of MILF.

Civilians from Salvo Datu Saudi, Datu Hoffer and Mamasapnao were forced move out and sought refuge to their relatives in the nearby barangay of Bagan in Guindulungan Muncipality. Up to this writing, community have felt the tension between these groups. Peace condition is very volatile.

Prior to this incident, series of violence already erupted in many areas of Maguindanao. Chronologies of event after Martial Law lifted on December 12, 2009 are as follows;

• January 3, 2010 – more or less 100 Unidentified armed group tried to destroyed the gate and fences to enter in the compound and rob and loot in the house of Rajah Buayan Mayor Jacob “Jack” Ampatuan in the Poblacion of Shariff Aguak Maguindanao;

• January 4, 2010 – unidentified men ransacked the COMELEC office inside the provincial capitol in pob. Shariff Aguak Maguindanao.

• January 4, 2010 – M79 grenade landed few meters away from the Mansion of Datu Andal Ampatuan, Jr. The incident happened hours after armed men robbed houses in nearby villages and took with them three motorcycles as getaway vehicles.

• Unidentified armed group roaming around in the Poblacion every night caused panic and great fear to the civilians; for them, every night is their nightmare.

• January 10, 2010 – another looting in Poblacion, Sharif Aguak, a female house helper of the Ampatuan were abducted for several hours but her captors released her after more than 5 hours, there is a rumor that the girl was raped many times.

The on going violence is rarely reported because until now, majority of the media networks have centered their coverage in the November 23 Massacre.

Aside from the Rido that is now taking place, Looting, Robbery, Arsons, Harassment of civilians are also the problems of the province. The Military and the PNP are outnumbered and they cannot cover the entire Shariff Aguak and Datu Hoffer.

CBCS RESPONSES:

As head of the Human Rights Quick Response Team, and a regional secretary of Kutawato Region BCJP facilitated the inter-NGO/CSO Meeting on January 9, 2010 at KRMC office in Cotabato City to map out what are the immediate needs and steps to halt the violence in the province.

Participating organizations:
1. UNYPAD
2. AL IHSAN
3. BCJP
4. UNYPHIL- Women
5. MOWDEC
6. CRDC
7. MPC

As an initial intervention, On January 11, 2010 – CBCS KRMC met the OIC Governor of Maguindanao at provincial capitol. On the same day, Meeting with the barangay Captains of Shariff Aguak at the residence of Shariff Aguak mayor Datu Anwar Ampatuan. They are committed to support the plans and initiative of the BCJP and other Human Rights Networks in minimizing the conflict in the area and even the governor herself vowed also to assist any interventions that CSO want to extend.

Output of the meeting with the barangay captains

o Appeal to the CSO to assist to appease to their situation
o Request to the CSO to facilitate dialogue with the AFP (Col. Aradanas of 603rd Brig.) and to the MILF (CCCH, AHJAG and taskforce ITTIHAD)
o Initial plan to meet with the PNP, AFP to ask permit to form a un armed civilian volunteers to guard the poblacion)
o They Appeal to the media to expose their situations. During the heights of Martial law, the media people were staying in S. Aguak even sleep with them but now, they are victims, the media seems doesn’t care about them
o Appeal for the CHR to look into and investigate their situations