President Arroyo declared Martial Law in Maguindanao

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Read more...

Justice for Maguindanao Massacre Victims: A Call to all Presidential Candidates

As the whole world is closely monitoring the development of the Maguindanao Massacre, me and my family are offering prayers for the immediate service of justice to all the victims. This is an act of evil that should never be tolerated, and should not happen again.

Although the government though the Department of Justice (DOJ) is now trying to solve this , I believe that this is also a call to all presidential candidates as this is just one of the difficult problems they will inherit when they get elected.

Photo credit to Associated Press

While we still have to wait for the official statement from the authorities after their investigation, it is obvious that this is an election-related violence since the group were to file the certificate of candidacy (COC) of Buluan vice mayor Ismael "Toto" Mangudadatu, who is running for provincial governor in election 2010.

The Ampatuans on the other hand, has the most elected officials and considered as the political nemesis of the Mangudadatus.

History tells us that Maguindanao is only one of the hottest spots during the election period but it seems that we never learn. This is why we should not also be surprise if the place has among the poorest towns in the Philippines.

First of all, is there really a need for huge private armies? Why not send more soldier troops to protect the entire Maguindanao instead of allowing powerful politicians only?

Let us also not forget there are more than 20 media people included in the list of victims? Are they just a sort of what we call collateral damage?

If we want to have peace, we should have justice. But then, we really cannot have peace while holding a gun. Therefore, I believe that we should now consider total gun ban very seriously especially during election period.

With this, I would like to hear the comment from all the presidential candidates. What will you do to make sure that this will not happen again?

Philippine Election 2010 Related posts:
Maguindanao Massacre death toll reached 57: The Worst Philippine Election related Violence
How to Vote this coming Philippine Automated Election 2010

If you want to receive my future posts regularly for FREE,you can subscribe in a reader or by Email. If you have concerns, please do not hesitate to Contact Me anytime.

Read more...

Maguindanao Massacre death toll reached 57: The Worst Philippine Election related Violence

Maguindanao Massacre is now considered as the worst Philippine election related violence, and was condemned by the United Nations and the European Union.

"I condemn in the strongest possible terms the barbaric killing on 23 November 2009 of innocent civilians, including women, journalists and lawyers, who were preparing to participate in the electoral process in the Philippines," said Benita Ferrero-Waldner, EU commissioner for external relations.

As of this moment, the death toll already reached 57 and Armed Forces public information chief Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner said the retrieved bodies belonged to 22 females and 35 males.

The victims, more than 20 of them are journalists, were in a convoy traveling to Shariff Aguak town when kidnapped and later executed by armed men. The group was about to file the certificate of candidacy (COC) of Buluan vice mayor Ismael "Toto" Mangudadatu, who is running for provincial governor in election 2010.

Genalyn Tiamzon-Mangudadatu, who is Toto's wife, and her sisters were among those killed.

Right now, the possible suspects of the gruesome killings were the powerful Ampatuan clan, a political rival of the Mangudadatus and a close ally of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Meanwhile, after the "arrest" of some suspects, Malacañang reminded concerned parties not to take the law into their hands. This call from Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita came hours after the Philippine National Police announced the arrest of some civilian volunteers linked to the crime. Ermita said they want to avoid a "rido" (blood feud) situation in Mindanao.

Ampatuan clan kicked out of Lakas-Kampi party

The administration Lakas-Kampi-CMD party last night kicked out three members of the powerful Ampatuan clan from its roster over their alleged involvement in the grisly Maguindanao massacre.

Ousted from the party were Datu Unsay mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr.; his brother, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) governor Zaldy Ampatuan; and their father, former Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan Sr.

The Ampatuans were expelled "for their failure to uphold party ideals and principles in their area of jurisdiction, specifically relating to the peaceful, legal, and democratic pursuit and exercise of political power," said party chairman and presidential bet, Gilberto Teodoro Jr.

Among the evidence investigators are looking into that could possibly link the Ampatuans to the massacre are the backhoe retrieved from the massacre site, on which the name Gov. Andal Ampatuan is printed; the phone call of Toto's wife, Genalyn, to her husband shortly before she was killed; and the statements of four witnesses in the custody of the Mangundadatus.

For more news and photos about Maguindanao Massacre, you can visit GMA News.TV

Philippine Election 2010 Related posts:
Bayani Fernando leaves MMDA to run for President in Election 2010
How to Vote this coming Philippine Automated Election 2010
Loren Legarda for Vice President: Tandems with Manny Villar in Philippine Election 2010
Vilma Santos and Ralph Recto leaves Gibo and joined Noynoy
Edu Manzano for Vice President: Gilbert Teodoro running mate in 2010
Ebdane for President hopes endorsement from FVR
Erap for President in 2010 confirmed
Erap for President in 2010 officially announced
Noynoy Ads Music Video: Hindi Ka Nag iisa
Philippine Election 2010 Special Registration and How to Verify Online

If you want to receive my future posts regularly for FREE,you can subscribe in a reader or by Email. If you have concerns, please do not hesitate to Contact Me anytime.

Read more...