No Mas

A year ago, hordes of devils descended upon a group of hapless journalists and old folks. Armed to the teeth, these devils plowed everybody down, castrated some, mutilated women and tried to burn every body they violated. Most of the victims bore not just bullet wounds, but some women even bore stab wounds in their private parts. After the gruesome act, the devils laughed their way to obscurity.


But the True and Living God, just and merciful, heard the cries of the victims and one by one, these devils fell into the hands of the Law. The question is, after a year of trials and hearings, do we expect justice to be meted upon the victims of this heinous crime?


These devils tried to use their contacts with the previous administration. They also tried to downplay the incident. But God truly works in mysterious ways. All but some were arrested and  are now facing trial.


And the stories just got more brutal.


A human rights group revealed several other gruesome crimes allegedly committed by the Ampatuans in Maguindanao. The Ampatuans were so brazen, they were able to hide these crimes for years, without us knowing it. With a new governor in place, several of the Ampatuan's secrets are beginning to unravel.


These are stories of brutality, of plain and sheer banality and of cruelty beyond words. 


This happens when the central government loses control over a territory and when the central government allows its allies full control over the resources, and people, of a particular territory. The Ampatuans, mind you, are not an exemption. Fact is, warlordism exists in every damned parcel of land in these places!


Mindanao is particularly interesting because of the sheer number of people, all claiming to be gods there. In Basilan, several warlords fight for dominion in the island, same goes in Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. In several parts of the mainland, we have both Muslim and Christians fighting for the same political territory, abandoned by the Central government. This happens in a very weak state such as ours.


No more, says several human rights groups. But, until pre-Islamic practices exist, until this pseudo-royality system still continues to animate the minds of Muslims, there will never be a time when cruelty against men will cease to continue. 


Pious Muslims should stand up and resist pre-Islamic practices there. There will never be peace in Mindanao if Muslims continue to exercise practices contrary to the teachings of Islam and of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).


Muslims should eradicate people like the Ampatuans who not only besmirched Islam but created so much harm and havoc in Maguindanao that the province continues to suffer hardship due to years of neglect and violence. 

What a Joke--Arroyo budget deficit at 340 BILLION PESOS

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

Ampatuans released by DOJ

Two of the Ampatuans, among them, ARMM governor Zaldy Ampatuan has just been cleared by the Department of Justice of all murder charges. Justice secretary Agra told journalists that he approved the petition for review of the Ampatuans after closely studying the pieces of evidence that were presented. Agra believes that Zaldy and Datu Mamasapano are not involved in the grisly massacre of 59 civilians last November 23 in Datu Sharif Aguak in Maguindanao. 


I don't know with you, but remember that this site wrote about the plan to exonerate the Ampatuans from this a few weeks ago. Sources told me that the palace intends to release Zaldy Ampatuan after a series of violent incidents rocked the province. It seems that the Ampatuans are still needed by the military to maintain the peace, so to speak, in the province. 


We all know that the Ampatuans served as counter-force or some say, counter-balance against lawless and insurgent elements in the province. Some of the military believes that Zaldy can still weave his so-called "magic" to put a stop to the violence breaking out almost everyday in Maguindanao.


The only worry some people have would actually be this---with two Ampatuans in the lam, how would this affect the status of the multiple murder cases filed against the other Ampatuans? Martial law was declared in Maguindanao specifically to allow an independent and impartial probe of the massacre. Now with two Ampatuans freed, surely, doubts will be raised. 


Some of the main witnesses to the crime were either killed or silenced. Groups are quite anxious and equally afraid that the Ampatuan clan will exert their influence upon witnesses and their families. 


This is beginning to be messy. Too messy for our comfort. Vigilance is the key.

Petitions against Proclamation 1959 will suffer defeat

For those who oppose martial law in Maguindanao, and with Senators saying that they stand to lose in an administration-dominated Lower House, the Supreme Court remains as the last venue for recourse.  Atty. Harry Roque, one of four petitioners who filed petitions questioning Proclamation 1959, prays that the Highest Court of the land stand steadfast against the martial law declaration.

I don't know if Harry knows but, the Supreme Court can only tackle one thing--whether or not there is factual and legal bases for the declaration. They cannot rule against the wisdom of the proclamation since that will be an intrusion into Executive power. The Highest Tribunal cannot also intrude into the legality of such proclamations since it is already an established Power under the 1987 Constitution.

The question really---did Mrs. Arroyo used her powers under the Constitution judiciously and within the boundaries given by law? Was there no abuse of such powers under the Constitution?

Now, I hate to say it but, I think even these petitions will suffer defeat, not because the Tribunal is being dominated by Arroyo appointees, no. The SC can only tackle if these facts, as stated in Mrs. Arroyo's report to Congress and construing the face of the Proclamation 1959 itself, are true. If these facts are true, then, the Supreme Court cannot question the wisdom behind the issuance of the proclamation. The SC also cannot contravene whether Mrs. Arroyo exercised her powers judiciously since that is not within the powers as contemplated by the Constitution. The hands of the Court are tied. Even if they all oppose the declaration, they cannot use that as a basis for declaring Proclamation 1959 as legally infirm and therefore, revocable.

Hence, expect defeat this early. Martial law will remain in Maguindanao, and possibly, even affect other provinces in Mindanao. This early, talks are rife that even Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur will be under martial law. It would not surprise me if Mrs. Arroyo place the entire Mindanao, except Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur and Zamboanga peninsula under military rule. That is not impossible.

What is very unsettling is the recent demand of the AFP for authorities to extend the period of martial law until May 2010. This will affect the results of the national elections in May 2010.

Seems like this government, with a collusion with the military, is forcing a non-proclamation scenario.

Rebellion and Mrs. Arroyo as a Threat to Philippine Democracy

Justice Devenadera said rebellion is being committed by the Ampatuans in Maguindanao. Question---what is the definition of rebellion under our jurisdiction?

Under Title 3, Chapter One of the Revised Penal Code, rebellion is classified under Crimes Against Public Order. Rebellion is defined under our jurisdiction as:

Art. 134. Rebellion or insurrection; How committed. — The crime of rebellion or insurrection is committed by rising publicly and taking arms against the Government for the purpose of removing from the allegiance to said Government or its laws, the territory of the Philippine Islands or any part thereof, of any body of land, naval or other armed forces, depriving the Chief Executive or the Legislature, wholly or partially, of any of their powers or prerogatives. (As amended by R.A. 6968).



Article 134-A. Coup d'etat; How committed. — The crime of coup d'etat is a swift attack accompanied by violence, intimidation, threat, strategy or stealth, directed against duly constituted authorities of the Republic of the Philippines, or any military camp or installation, communications network, public utilities or other facilities needed for the exercise and continued possession of power, singly or simultaneously carried out anywhere in the Philippines by any person or persons, belonging to the military or police or holding any public office of employment with or without civilian support or participation for the purpose of seizing or diminishing state power. (As amended by R.A. 6968).

By definition, one commits a crime of rebellion if there is an overt act and what is it? It is "by rising publicly and taking up arms". What should be the purpose of such overt act? It is to remove allegiance to said "Government or its laws, the territory of the Philippines..depriving the Chief Executive or the Legislature, wholly or partially, of any of their powers or prerogatives."

Rebellion is committed if a person or a group of persons initiated a public uprising for the purpose of removing allegiance to a particular part of the territory of the State so that the Chief Executive or the Legislature is prevented from exercising their functions "wholly or partially".

Okey, was there such incident in Maguindanao? Did the Ampatuans occupied a territory of the Republic of the Philippines through arms? Did the Ampatuans even caused the disruption of the functions of the Chief Executive or the Legislature even of ARMM? No. And Devenadera is too stupid, she gave as an excuse the non-functioning of the courts.

Agnes, my gulay, the courts belong to the Judiciary, neither in the Executive nor the Legislative departments. Magbibigay ka lang ng halimbawa, mali pa.

Okey, is the presence of armed groups in Maguindanao sufficient cause for us to say that there is rebellion? No. Armed groups have been roaming Maguindanao and even being maintained by the AFP for decades in that province.

Was there any report even suggesting that these armed groups massed and rose up and publicly declared that they are rising publicly against the government? Remember that the gravemen of the crime of rebellion is the act of publicly rising against the government.

There was no such incident.

Now, is there rebellion when a group of youngsters or gangsters with arms meet in one place and decided to rebel against the government but were immediately arrested by policemen? No, for the requisites of public uprising is absent.

Can you charge me with rebellion when I write here that we need to rise up against Mrs. Arroyo? No. Can I be charged with inciting to rebellion? No, because not all requisites for the crime of rebellion exist.

NOW, PLEASE ADMIT MRS. ARROYO...

• Proclamation 1959 was a knee-jerk reaction, actually, an action aimed at diverting the attention of the public from the discovery of a huge cache of arms bearing the markings of the DND-PNP.
• That you and your hawks panicked and in that state, was forced to declare Martial law to secure those who know how you Mrs. Arroyo and your Generals armed these warlords, particularly the Ampatuans.
• That you Mrs. Arroyo used this issue so that you can flex your muscles and frighten those who oppose you.
• That you Mrs. Arroyo are testing the waters so to speak, toying on the Fates and trying to play this game and see if there is opposition to your actions. And if there is none, then, you'll proceed with this so that you'll be able to govern even after June 2010.

TO ALL DEMOCRATIC COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD, MRS. GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO IS A THREAT TO OUR DEMOCRACY.

SHE IS THE BIGGEST TERRORIST EVER TO LIVE IN THIS COUNTRY.

JOIN US AS WE FIGHT HER.

WE WILL NOT ALLOW THIS COUNTRY TO FURTHER GO DOWN IN HISTORY WITHOUT A FIGHT.

Mass Murderer Andal Ampatuan Jr. is surety bond

How to trigger massive violence in Mindanao? Simple. If anything bad happens to mass murderer Andal Ampatuan Jr. who is now detained at the NBI office in Manila, that would surely trigger rido in Maguindanao and the entire Mindanao.

And if the Opposition thinks that they can force the Ampatuan clan to divulge juicy details of Hello Garci, think again. The Government, by arresting and detaining Andal Ampatuan, committed one single act of assuring that these "secret Hello Garci documents" remain locked, stocked and barrelled.

Mrs. Arroyo now has the younger Andal Ampatuan under government custody. The younger Ampatuan is now Mrs. Arroyo's most precious commodity, err, her most important asset, a surety if you will, against possible "spillage" of info relating to Hello Garci.

In fact, if you look at it, the younger Andal is now a hostage. Threats against his life are being floated about austensibly for the senior Andal's personal consumption---Arroyo and her hawks want Andal Ampatuan to forever keep his mouth shut or something bad will happen to the 40-year old mass murderer.

Government assets are like vultures flying above the head of the younger Ampatuan. If the Patriarch balks and sends feelers to the Opposition that he's now ready to talk, then, for sure, the younger Andal will either die immediately or spend his entire life in chains.

Such is the life of those who think they are gods.

The younger Andal knows all the secrets of that Maguindanao Hello Garci operation. The Ampatuans know all the dirty things politicians did. The clan knows that they had the upper hand--they can go to the other side and sell the information in exchange for freedom.

I don't know if the elder Ampatuan already realize this---they don't have an ace anymore when they surrendered junior to Jesus Dureza. In fact, Arroyo now has the upper hand.

The detention of Andal also has a very serious security implication---if someone kills him, that would trigger violence not just in Mindanao but also in Metro Manila---justifying the imposition of a state of emergency even in NCR.

And we all know that the NBI is not the best place to keep a mass murderer. I remember months prior to the coup that ousted Erap, several NBI agents were killed there.

This Maguindanao massacre has tragedy written all over it.

Question really is---is Ampatuan ready to be betrayed by his principal? Mrs. Arroyo has a history of sacrificing her Knights for self-preservation. And mind you, in this one, the Ampatuans also incurred enemies from the military and the police who now occupy high positions in the state security establishment. It is to their best interests for the Ampatuans to keep their mouths shut.

Maguindanao Massacre Update: MANGUNDADATUS DISAPPOINTED OVER PALACE ACTIONS: ASK PNP TO ARREST THE GOVERNOR ANDAL AMPATUAN ALSO

Buluan vice mayor Toto Mangundadatu is disappointed over the actions of Malacanang, saying that why is it that the palace is taking sooo long to arrest Datu Unsay Andal Ampatuan Junior and all the perpetuators of the massacre which resulted to the deaths of 57 people.

Reports indicate that the main perpetuators of the crime are now guarding the younger Ampatuan. Twenty members of the Ampatuan private army were arrested. Those who hacked and raped the twenty two women victims are now holed up inside the Ampatuan compound, armed to the teeth.

The United Nations has condemned the massacre as one of the most barbaric acts in this century.

Mangundadatu says that the police should also arrest the Senior Ampatuan due to evidence of the use of the backhoe. It is totally inconceivable, says Mangundadatu, that the criminals or animals who did the massacre were able to use the property of the provincial capitol without the expressed authority from the Maguindanao governor and the provincial engineer.

Andal Ampatuan Sr. is the Governor of Maguindanao and a close ally of Philippine president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Meanwhile, several Muslim groups have condemned the massacre and said that they don't consider the Ampatuans as Muslims.

EXCLUSIVE: ANDAL AMPATUAN JR TO BE ARRESTED AND TAKEN TO CAMP CRAME

A police source, who requested anonymity, says that one of the possible scenarios being considered right now is for Datu Unday mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., son of Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan to be arrested inside the compound and to be sent immediately to Camp Crame.

Andal Jr. is to be immediately sent to Camp Crame for processing. This is one of the points negotiated between the Ampatuans and Jesus Dureza, presidential envoy.

Dureza is expected to take the 40 year old Andal Ampatuan Jr, into custody. Dureza is now in Maguindanao. (One source says one of the relatives of Andal Ampatuan thinks of holding Dureza hostage, which I think is unthinkable.)

Both the palace and the Ampatuans agreed that the younger Andal be subjected to investigation. No police or NBI agent was sent to the Ampatuans to serve the warrant of arrest.

Meanwhile, AFP spokesperson Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner Jr. said the military has taken over the Maguindanao capitol. Several towns in Maguindanao have also been subjected to military control.

Civilian cafgus or militias within the area have been disarmed.

Police have recovered 57 bodies, mostly mangled beyond recognition, in the shallow grave.

On the Sulu Question

Watching veteran journalists and colleagues Jim Jalbuena and Tanjunsay over at Pia Hontiveros show "Strictly Politics" over at ANC brings back old memories. Like Jalbuena, I was one of those who covered the Sipadan hostage crisis back in 2000. Jalbuena's accounts brought back memories of those fateful days when hard-core members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) kidnapped foreign vacationers off the Malaysian resort of Sipadan. That incident brought the ASG to the global centerstage of notoriety. The incident lead to a release of all the hostages, but not without paying the ASG some "board and lodgings", allegedly to the tune of 200 million pesos.

So many things happened after that, with some of the foreign hostages recounting their ordeal and even writing about it. Tales of rape, of abuse, of forced starvations, etc., stories which could have happened or could have been just inventions of fertile minds. What's certain though, the ASG lived to scout for other unsuspecting victims, thus started a spree of kidnappings and ransom-paying.

Some say the ASG institutionalized kidnapping in Sulu. They could have. However, kidnappings and abductions are not entirely new in that part of the world. Historically, Muslims kidnap Christians or "outsiders" but not for money. No. At the time of the Spanish rule over these islands, kidnappings were mostly religious or military in nature. Kidnappings were used as leverages especially at the height of wars or skirmishes between hostile forces.

Now, if you look at it, kidnappings have become cottage industries, with young armed groups like the ones who abducted Ces Drilon and her crew, joining the frenzy. Prior to Ces' kidnapping, a Chinese businessman was abducted there and released after paying ransom. Others were also victimized, and the local media did not report about them since these are not high-profile cases.

And you can't entirely blame them. Centuries of neglect and poverty have transformed Sulu from a bustling trading post to a desolate and poor island. Those born in that island faces a bleak future. No job. No life. No comfort. Just a daily struggle to survive.

Sulu is a beautiful gem floating in the tranquil seas. During the Spanish era, Sulu was the center of indigenous Islamic power, with Sayyid Abu Bakr establishing the Sulu Sultanate in 1450, whose power stretched over Basilan and Tawi-Tawi.

Historically, Mindanao has been the hotbed of an Islamic insurgency. In 1596, the Spanish colonial government launched a pacification campaign, mobilizing 50 ships, 200 Spaniards and 1,500 Christianized Filipinos. It failed. Three years after, Maguindanao datus launched their retaliatory attack, reclaiming Muslim communities from the hands of the Spaniards and even brought back 800 captives to Mindanao.

In 1692, Sultan Kudarat, the supreme Islamic leader in Maguindanao, defeated a Spanish force and even captured its leader. Between 1656 to 1658, Sultan Kudarat led an Islamic army composed of Muslims from Sulu, Ternate, Brunei and Makassar. Succeeding raids in the Visayas forced the Spaniards to retreat in Manila. Sultan Kudarat nearly defeated the Spaniards where it not for the outbreak of civil war between Muslims of Maguindanao and Sulu.

Muslims continued attacks against communities in the Visayas and Luzon, but superior firepower repulsed them. Attacks continue well in the 19th century, where it not for the Americans who even invented the 45-caliber pistol to defeat the Muslims. The establishment of American sovereignty over Mindanao lead to the marginalization of Islamic power. Using superior military technology, the Americans successfully pacified the region and integrated it into the Philippine state.

The American policy of integration was the reason why Muslims stopped their raids against Christian communities in Centtral and Northern Philippines. The Americans respected the culture, traditions and religion of Muslims. They also gave opportunities to Muslim leaders to ascend the rungs of mainstream Philippine life. During the first Philippine Congress, we saw some representation from Mindanao-based Muslims.

The US government also allowed barter trade to flourish in the area, especially in the islands of Sulu, Basilan and Tawi-tawi. That's why during those times, Sulu flourished and families there earned enough to sustain a comfortable life.

It was just during the time of strongman Ferdinand Marcos that Tausugs began to rise up against colonial Manila. Barter trade was disallowed and because of the pressures and "tributes" brought by the Lobregats in Zamboanga, trade shifted from Sulu to Zamboanga peninsula. Sulu rose up in revolt, leading to a decades-old war led by the MNLF.

Now, Sulu continues to struggle against the weight of extreme poverty. Many youngsters such as the ones who orchestrated this kidnapping caper, live a life of recklessness and violence. They were raised in a time of repression and economic disfranchisement. The Tausug youths of today live precariously, without hope and full of hatred against those who ruled Manila.

What they don't realize is this---the more they do these stupid things, the more they isolate themselves from the rest of the world. Sulu can't survive without outside help. It's an island. If they continue to isolate themselves, they risk further economic stagnation and poverty.

Government and other groups, especially the United States, should cooperate and assist Suluanons. Give them some development. Give Tausugs some jobs. That way, they will reject the un-Islamic practice of kidnappings and abductions. And hopefully, we will see the complete defeat of the Abu Sayyaf Group in that part of the world.