Ma. Cecilia L. Rodriguez
Mobile: +639177155812
Davao City, Philippines
This email aims to share the information about the recent COMELEC’s
accreditation of a partylist that is controlled by Andal Ampatuan Sr.
The partylist is Adhikain ng Dakilang Anak ng Maharlika (ADAM). We, in the civil society organizations here in Mindanao, can not stop wondering why a partylist organization such as the one organized by the Ampatuans can acquire accreditation where in fact it does not qualify as a marginalized sector and it was organized mainly for the benefit of the Ampatuan clan. This partylist is represented by Andal’s
Sr. nephew, Usec. Zamzamin L. Ampatuan.
Usec Zam and Andal Sr. had come a long way in deceiving our government with their schemes in providing alternative views of the Bangsamoro problem. Back in early 2000, their campaign was to fight the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). They used broadcast media to expose the corruptions in the ranks of the MILF and their clinging to Islamic extremism. It was a noble cause at first. Their fight was able to
convince many Maguindanaons that it was the right thing to do to stop the MILF. It convinced the datus and big clans to form alliance with them and fight the MILF. But, the fight is for the benefit of the Ampatuan clan and the family of Andal Sr.
Because of this fight, the government was also convinced that it was the right thing to do. Commanding officers of the 6th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army (from Gen. Camiling, Gen. Kiamko, Gen Cayton), and their ranks gave full support to Andal Ampatuan Sr. When Camp Abubakar was conquered by the government troops, the opportunity for power for the Ampatuans fell like rain. Andal Ampatuan Sr. was successful in defeating Zacaria Candao during the 2001 gubernatorial elections. Zam Ampatuan was appointed Executive Director of Office on Muslim Affairs. And the rest are history.
Just to give you a brief summary of the turn of events, a time table
below describes this:
Year Events People/Organizations behind 1999 Start of Radyo Kalimudan.
A radio broadcast aired at DXMS of Zam Ampatuan providing an alternative views of the Moro problem, focusing on cultural integrity. UN Multi Donor Programme;
Col. Corpus (Commanding Officer of the Philippine Army assigned at Sultan sa Barongis) Zam and Col Corpus became close friends and implemented various projects at Rajah Buayan and Sultan sa Barongis focusing in the Liguasan Marsh.
Bombing of DXMS during the radio live broadcast of Zam Ampatuan.Allegedly by the MILF
Zam Ampatuan was ambush in Cotabato City, his close in escort was killed on the spot, his driver was wounded and lost his right leg. Allegedly by the MILF
2000 All out war of Pres. Erap against the MILF, Camp Abubakar was conquered by the Philippine troops.
2001 Local elections. Andal Ampatuan Sr defeated Zacaria Candao in their gubernatorial race. Massive cheating was done in 2nd district of Maguindanao.Commissioner Mehol Sadain motioned in Comelec en banc for the proclamation of Andal Sr. Zam Ampatuan was appointed ED of OMA Col Victor Corpus was appointed head of ISAFP Sec. Angelo Reyes was appointed DND Backed up by Secretary Angelo Reyes
2004 Local and national elections: Hello Garci tapeAndal delivered huge amount of votes to GMA Zam Ampatuan was head of the Southern Philippines Development
Authority GMA’s endorsement
2005 Zam Ampatuan was appointed National Anti Poverty Commission head. He delivered P100M worth of water project to Maguindanao alone. Projects need to be properly evaluated/audited.
GMA’s endorsement
ARMM elections: Toto Paglas vs. Zaldy Ampatuan for the Regional Governorship. Malacanang set a steering committee as to who will be the Lakas Official Candidate. Datu Zaldy Ampatuan was selected by the streering committee and not Toto Paglas GMA’s operators
2006 Province of Maguindanao was divided into two provinces. District 1, Shariff Kabunsuan; District 2, Maguindanao
Governorship for Shariff Kabunsuan was given to Datu Bimbo Q. Sinsuat ARMM Regional legislative assembly No. 201
2007 Zam Ampatuan was appointed to Department of Agriculture to a GOCC.
Allegedly his task was to generate funds for the election campaign.
Local and national elections:
12 – 0 for senatorial slate
Massive election fraud in Maguindanao, whistle blowers from municipality of Pagalungan and PagagawanGMA
Machinery of Andal Ampatuan Sr.
2008 Zam Ampatuan was appointed USEC of Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR),
More than 1 billion worth of projects from DAR was given to ARMM and Maguindanao
GMA Through the leadership of Secretary Nasser Pangandaman
2009 Sec Angelo Reyes heads DOE
USEC Zam Ampatuan – DOE
USEC Roy Kiamko – DOE
GMA
June 2009 Andal Sr. gave the blessing for Zam Ampatuan to organize his parylist organization named ADAM
1st Division of the COMELEC handled the ADAM’s petition for accreditation. August 17, 2009 ADAM was filed with the Clerk of the Commission (COMELEC) November 2009 ADAM was accredited with the COMELEC as a partylist organization Approved by Com. Rene Sarmiento
Hopefully, this information will stop the schemes and plans of Andal Ampatuan Sr. It is also recommended that there will be a group to handle and organize an international/local group fact finding mission.
All the things we hear from the news and read in the newspapers about the Ampatuans are “unbelievable” at one point. But if you stand in the shoes of the Maguindanaons and people oppressed by the Ampatuans, you will see that most of them really happened. They got away with the Maguindanao Chainsaw Massacre in 2002. They almost got away with the Backhoe massacre, and if their plan with the ADAM entering in congress in 2010, we will never know what damage it can bring in the lives of
the people of Maguindanao and our country as a whole.
Recent developments that is gathered by the network of peace advocates in Mindanao, Senator Manny Villar is allied with Zam Ampatuan. Last November 2009, Mayor Anwar Ampatuan was suppose to take his oath as a member of the Nationalist Party. Through the money of Sen. Villar, ADAM will have machinery for its campaign. In return, the Ampatuans promised to deliver votes in Maguindanao and ARMM.
--
Ma. Cecilia L. Rodriguez
Mobile: +639177155812
Davao City, Philippines
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
The killing continues in the municipality of Ampatuan
Village official shot dead in Ampatuan
by Malu Cadeliña Manar / MindaNews
Thursday, 21 January 2010 08:32
KIDAPAWAN CITY (MindaNews/20 Jan) – The killing continues in the municipality of Ampatuan in Maguindanao as a barangay kagawad was shot dead by a still unidentified suspect late afternoon Tuesday, police said.
Talib Salahudin, of Barangay Kakal, was reportedly on his way home when shot many times in the head. No one saw the incident in the dark and deserted area where he was shot, said Sr. Supt. Alex Lineses, provincial police director.
Lineses clarified that the victim was not in any way related to Ampatuan Vice Mayor Rasul Sangki, the primary witness to the Nov. 23 Ampatuan massacre where 58 persons were killed, 32 of them from the media.
The police chief said the victim was also not the “Doc Uling” earlier reported as the one killed last Tuesday night in Kakal.
Uling, reports said, was Sangki’s first cousin and security aide.
Buluan Vice Mayor Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu, who is candidate for Maguindanao governor, said earlier that Uling was shot dead inside his home in Kakal, supposedly by the grandchildren of Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr. The suspects, he said, are Bahnarin and Ulo Ampatuan, and Sukarno Badal.
The three suspects are also among those accused in the Ampatuan massacre.
“They killed Uling to threaten Sangki, who is our primary witness. They might also do that to Sangki’s other relatives,” he warned. (Malu Cadeliña Manar / MindaNews)
by Malu Cadeliña Manar / MindaNews
Thursday, 21 January 2010 08:32
KIDAPAWAN CITY (MindaNews/20 Jan) – The killing continues in the municipality of Ampatuan in Maguindanao as a barangay kagawad was shot dead by a still unidentified suspect late afternoon Tuesday, police said.
Talib Salahudin, of Barangay Kakal, was reportedly on his way home when shot many times in the head. No one saw the incident in the dark and deserted area where he was shot, said Sr. Supt. Alex Lineses, provincial police director.
Lineses clarified that the victim was not in any way related to Ampatuan Vice Mayor Rasul Sangki, the primary witness to the Nov. 23 Ampatuan massacre where 58 persons were killed, 32 of them from the media.
The police chief said the victim was also not the “Doc Uling” earlier reported as the one killed last Tuesday night in Kakal.
Uling, reports said, was Sangki’s first cousin and security aide.
Buluan Vice Mayor Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu, who is candidate for Maguindanao governor, said earlier that Uling was shot dead inside his home in Kakal, supposedly by the grandchildren of Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr. The suspects, he said, are Bahnarin and Ulo Ampatuan, and Sukarno Badal.
The three suspects are also among those accused in the Ampatuan massacre.
“They killed Uling to threaten Sangki, who is our primary witness. They might also do that to Sangki’s other relatives,” he warned. (Malu Cadeliña Manar / MindaNews)
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
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
First Automated National election in the country; possible
First Automated National election in the country; possible
By Bobby Benito
January 14, 2010
CLARK, Pampanga – Commission on Election spokesperson James Arthur B. Jimenez said today that the first nationwide elections will push through despite concerns on the delayed delivery of the Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machines by its manufacturer,Smartmatic.
“It is expected that first PCOS delivery is on February 21, 2 010, as of now there are 7,200 and another 3,000 then 8,000 and then by Friday 3,200 and on Saturday, another 8,000. So now we are about 32,000 units of PCOS,” said Jimenez in his talk at the Journalist-CSO Partnership for election reporting monitoring held at Montevista Villa in Clark, Pampanga.
Jimenez said something interesting about the machines still on the way in a ship and that there are still a lot of uncertainties like weather.
Smartmatic’s machines will come from China.
Smartmatic, based in Venezuela, won the P7 billion contracts to provide voting machines and system to consolidate election results.
On the call of several groups for an early election in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), Jimenez said that a bill on that is still pending in Congress.
ARMM is one of the identified 558 “Hot Spots” out of 1,634 Cities and municipalities areas of concerns in the country.
By Bobby Benito
January 14, 2010
CLARK, Pampanga – Commission on Election spokesperson James Arthur B. Jimenez said today that the first nationwide elections will push through despite concerns on the delayed delivery of the Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machines by its manufacturer,Smartmatic.
“It is expected that first PCOS delivery is on February 21, 2 010, as of now there are 7,200 and another 3,000 then 8,000 and then by Friday 3,200 and on Saturday, another 8,000. So now we are about 32,000 units of PCOS,” said Jimenez in his talk at the Journalist-CSO Partnership for election reporting monitoring held at Montevista Villa in Clark, Pampanga.
Jimenez said something interesting about the machines still on the way in a ship and that there are still a lot of uncertainties like weather.
Smartmatic’s machines will come from China.
Smartmatic, based in Venezuela, won the P7 billion contracts to provide voting machines and system to consolidate election results.
On the call of several groups for an early election in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), Jimenez said that a bill on that is still pending in Congress.
ARMM is one of the identified 558 “Hot Spots” out of 1,634 Cities and municipalities areas of concerns in the country.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Response from Prof Bajunaid
Thank you, Brother Bobby, for the kind words. Jazakallah. May Allah guide us all to His Infinite Wisdom. May we all have a fruitful and blessed Hijrah/Gregorian Year ahead of us. Best regards. Wassalamo alaikum wa rahmatullah.
Brother Moner
Brother Moner
Optimizing Opportunities in the ARMM
"...and it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for you. Allaah knows but you do not know." (Surah Baqarah: 216)
With that Notion, I am optimistic that some changes is possible if we will be able to optimize opportunities in the ARMM for the coming years
OPPORTUNITIES in Maguindanao - the command votes is minimize, ( I guess) election cheating, fraud, flying voters, vote buying, ghost voting and election related violence will also minimize (My prayer) with the automation of elections (perhaps)
People are vigilant. a sense of little hope that our votes will will be counted, at least.
* But when you look at the candidates in Maguindanao, most of them are old faces in the politics, traditional politicians who may just utilize this event for their turn to get power again.
My Proposal therefore is to have a Group of CSO leaders’ forum on Approaches for Optimizing Opportunities
One possible outcome the Forum will be a CSO Alliance or Political Party in preparation for the ARMM Election.
In this way, the like of Mr. Guiamel M. Alim, Prof. Moner Bajunaid, and Atty. Theng Ambolodto and Anwar Upahm will be push to serve the ARMM. While Atty. Anwar Malang bids to serve Cotabato City, Atty. Zen Malang is best alternative in the Congress. Brother Mujiv Hataman by the way is running for a gubernatorial set in Basilan, he deserve supports from us.
We need the idealism, dynamism, and youthful energy of these CSO leaders to transform ARMM from un-peace, corruption, poverty and poor education to prosperity, justice, development and peace.
Remember the Qur’an Verses:
[Allah will not change the condition of people as long as they do not change their state]
Now, who will change our conditions?
With that Notion, I am optimistic that some changes is possible if we will be able to optimize opportunities in the ARMM for the coming years
OPPORTUNITIES in Maguindanao - the command votes is minimize, ( I guess) election cheating, fraud, flying voters, vote buying, ghost voting and election related violence will also minimize (My prayer) with the automation of elections (perhaps)
People are vigilant. a sense of little hope that our votes will will be counted, at least.
* But when you look at the candidates in Maguindanao, most of them are old faces in the politics, traditional politicians who may just utilize this event for their turn to get power again.
My Proposal therefore is to have a Group of CSO leaders’ forum on Approaches for Optimizing Opportunities
One possible outcome the Forum will be a CSO Alliance or Political Party in preparation for the ARMM Election.
In this way, the like of Mr. Guiamel M. Alim, Prof. Moner Bajunaid, and Atty. Theng Ambolodto and Anwar Upahm will be push to serve the ARMM. While Atty. Anwar Malang bids to serve Cotabato City, Atty. Zen Malang is best alternative in the Congress. Brother Mujiv Hataman by the way is running for a gubernatorial set in Basilan, he deserve supports from us.
We need the idealism, dynamism, and youthful energy of these CSO leaders to transform ARMM from un-peace, corruption, poverty and poor education to prosperity, justice, development and peace.
Remember the Qur’an Verses:
[Allah will not change the condition of people as long as they do not change their state]
Now, who will change our conditions?
Press Release (February 8, 2008)
For Immediate Release
For inquiry: 09197245492
: 390 2726
Bangsamoro Center for JustPeace (BCJP), Condemning Massacre of Innocent Civilians in Sulu
Cotabato City (February 8, 2008) – The Bangsamoro Center for JustPeace in the Phil’s. Inc. (BCJP), is strongly condemned the massacre of seven innocent civilians, including two children, two teenagers, one pregnant woman and an off-duty soldier early Monday February 4, 2008 during a military raid on a suspected Abu Sayyaf hideout on a coastal village of Ipil in Maimbung town. Sulu.
BOBBY BENITO, Founding Director of the BCJP said "We condemned the massacre and mutilation of some dead body of civilians and those responsible in the killings of innocent children, pregnant women and other victims must be punished to pay for these heinous crimes." “This is a culpable violations of human rights and inhuman acts committed by Elite Forces of the Armed Forces against innocent civilians and therefore, deserved a highly condemnation,
In a report, government military troops was tracking down a kidnapped victim trader Rosalie Lao, clashed at dawn on Monday with alleged Abu Sayyaf groups in the area where the eight bodies had been found later in the day.
But villagers insisted that the government troops were the responsible for the killing the civilians. "They were just seaweed farmers and not members of the Abu Sayyaf," according to the civilian residents in the area.
The children were shot in the head," some of those killed were shot at sea while escaping the fighting on boat. Some victim’s right forefinger was cut off by “allegedly members of the Philippine Navy's Special Warfare Group and Philippine Army' Light Reaction Company.” ” Benito added.
Those killed were identified as Marisa Payian, 4; Wedme Lahim, 9; Alnalyn Lahim, 15; Sulayman Hakob, 17; Kirah Lahim, 45; Eldisim Lahim, 43; Narcia Abon, 24, all civilians and Pfc. Ibnul Wahid, of the Army's 6th Infantry Division (MNLF Integree).
The BCJP is calling the attention of the House of Congress, House of Senate, the Commission on Human Rights and all Human Rights groups for an immediate and impartial conduct of investigation to give justice to the victims of this tragedy.
For inquiry: 09197245492
: 390 2726
Bangsamoro Center for JustPeace (BCJP), Condemning Massacre of Innocent Civilians in Sulu
Cotabato City (February 8, 2008) – The Bangsamoro Center for JustPeace in the Phil’s. Inc. (BCJP), is strongly condemned the massacre of seven innocent civilians, including two children, two teenagers, one pregnant woman and an off-duty soldier early Monday February 4, 2008 during a military raid on a suspected Abu Sayyaf hideout on a coastal village of Ipil in Maimbung town. Sulu.
BOBBY BENITO, Founding Director of the BCJP said "We condemned the massacre and mutilation of some dead body of civilians and those responsible in the killings of innocent children, pregnant women and other victims must be punished to pay for these heinous crimes." “This is a culpable violations of human rights and inhuman acts committed by Elite Forces of the Armed Forces against innocent civilians and therefore, deserved a highly condemnation,
In a report, government military troops was tracking down a kidnapped victim trader Rosalie Lao, clashed at dawn on Monday with alleged Abu Sayyaf groups in the area where the eight bodies had been found later in the day.
But villagers insisted that the government troops were the responsible for the killing the civilians. "They were just seaweed farmers and not members of the Abu Sayyaf," according to the civilian residents in the area.
The children were shot in the head," some of those killed were shot at sea while escaping the fighting on boat. Some victim’s right forefinger was cut off by “allegedly members of the Philippine Navy's Special Warfare Group and Philippine Army' Light Reaction Company.” ” Benito added.
Those killed were identified as Marisa Payian, 4; Wedme Lahim, 9; Alnalyn Lahim, 15; Sulayman Hakob, 17; Kirah Lahim, 45; Eldisim Lahim, 43; Narcia Abon, 24, all civilians and Pfc. Ibnul Wahid, of the Army's 6th Infantry Division (MNLF Integree).
The BCJP is calling the attention of the House of Congress, House of Senate, the Commission on Human Rights and all Human Rights groups for an immediate and impartial conduct of investigation to give justice to the victims of this tragedy.
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