Devanadera orders NBI to probe Maguindanao massacre

By Perfecto T. Raymundo Jr.

MANILA, Nov. 24 — Department of Justice (DOJ) Acting Secretary and concurrent Solicitor General Agnes Devanadera on Tuesday ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to conduct an investigation into the massacre of some 30 civilians, including some mediamen, in Maguindanao on Monday.

Genalyn, the wife of Buluan, Maguindanao Vice Mayor Ismael "Toto" Mangudadatu, together with some relatives and members of the media, were on their way to file the certificate of candidacy (COC) of Mangudadatu who will run for governor of Maguindanao in the May 2010 elections, when they were abducted and later killed by a group of some 100 armed men allegedly belonging to the private army of the Ampatuan clan in Maguindanao.

In a letter sent to the NBI, Devanadera stressed that the victims should be given justice and those who were responsible should be held liable.

Likewise, Devanadera also ordered the prosecutors in North Cotabato to coordinate with the families of the victims so that they will receive the benefits due them under the Victims Compensation Law (VCL).

Under the VCL, relatives of victims of violence are entitled to receive a modest amount of financial assistance.

Devanadera vowed that the DOJ will thoroughly work on the case and will see to it that those who were behind the dastardly act will be brought before the bar of justice. (PNA) V3/PTR

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