Gov't forces take control over Maguindanao capitol, two municipal halls
November 26, 2009 12:31 pm
MANILA, Nov. 26 -– Government security forces have established control over the capitol of Maguindanao and at least two municipal halls in the trouble province where the massacre of more than 50 civilians and media practitioners was committed last Monday, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Jesus Verzosa announced Thursday.
Verzosa cited the importance of securing the seats of the Maguindanao provincial government and the municipalities of Shariff Aguak and Ampatuan amidst reports that some of the perpetrators of the gruesome killing are taking refuge in the said places.
”It’s very important to secure the provincial capitol of Maguindanao, Shariff Aguak and Ampatuan because of the ongoing hot pursuit operations that we are conducting…there are reports that the suspects are hiding there and it’s necessary to investigate the witnesses and those who are believed to be responsible,” said Verzosa.
On Monday, the convoy of Genalyn Mangudadatu, the wife of Buluan Vice Mayor Esmail Mangudadatu, was stopped along Sitio Crossing in Barangay Saniag, Ampatuan town by about 100 armed allegedly led by Datu Unsay town Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., and was brought to a mountainous part of Barangay Salman where the massacre was done.
Esmail Mangudadatu sent his wife and two sisters, Farina Mangudadatu and the youngest Eden Mangudadatu, the incumbent vice mayor of Mangudadatu town along with several relatives to file his certificate of candidacy (CoC) for Maguindanao governorship. The Mangudadatus also invited some 30 media practitioners to cover the event.
As of latest count, 57 bodies have already been recovered from the massacre site, among them were the Mangudadatus and more than 20 identified media practitioners. Recovery operations in the area are still ongoing.
Verzosa also said the PNP has also taken into custody several Civilian Armed Force Geographical Unit (Cafgu) members for questioning.
”I just don’t have the exact number of the Cafgus now under the PNP but we are still accounting at present because we are securing three municipalities now,” said Verzosa, who is personally supervising the ongoing investigation being conducted by the PNP-Criminal Investigation and detection Group (CIDG).
For his part, PNP spokesman Chief Supt. Leonardo Espina said government security forces have started disarming civilian volunteers to maintain order in the province and prevent escalation of violence. He said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will take the lead role in the implementation.
Earlier, the AFP leadership has already ordered the deactivation of Special Cafgu Active Auxiliary (SCAA) in the whole Maguindanao and placed them under investigation.
”We will disarm all civilian volunteers, civilian personnel and all armed citizens upon the implementation of the AFP. We also recommend the suspension of the supervision of the local chief executives over the police. We will conduct hot pursuit operations on all the suspects,” said Espina. (PNA)
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