MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATE) The military has formally taken over Maguindanao, the temporary administrator of the province said Saturday, shortly after President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo declared martial law.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we are here this morning at the capitol in Maguindanao province to announce Presidential Proclamation 1959 or martial law proclamation in the province of Maguindanao. We are here to formally take over the provincial capitol and at this time, all the halls have been secured by the Army and police forces in order to ensure that the facilities will be secured and while we are waiting for further instructions from higher headquarters, all of these equipment, the facilities and the properties of local government will be secured by our armed forces,” said Lieutenant General Raymundo Ferrer of the Eastern Mindanao Command at a press conference aired live on radio dzMM Saturday.
“By virtue of being the highest military official in Central Mindanao, we came here to formally take over the provincial capitol while waiting for orders as to who will be appointed administrator of the martial law,” Ferrer added.
Arroyo’s decision was prompted by the deterioration of peace and order in Maguindanao that could lead to rebellion following the massacre of at least 57 people, mostly women and journalists, last November 23 allegedly by members of the influential Ampatuan clan.
The gruesome killings sparked outrage and condemnation here and abroad, forcing Arroyo, an ally of the Ampatuans, to take action.
Ferrer also said that family members – Maguindanao Governor Andal Ampatuan Sr., Governor Zaldy Ampatuan of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Shariff Aguak Mayor Anwar Ampatuan, and Maguindanao Vice Governor Akmad Ampatuan – have all been placed under police custody.
The alleged mastermind, Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., was the first to be arrested, detained at the National Bureau of Investigation in Manila, and indicted for 25 counts of murder.
Also arrested were an undetermined number of Ampatuan bodyguards, Ferrer said.
In a separate interview with INQUIRER.net, Chief Superintendent Felicisimo Khu, Task Force Alpha commander, said that those taken under police custody could be released if no evidence would be found to implicate them to the massacre.
He added that members of the Ampatuan clan were not handcuffed.
“They were taken to the police station for proper procedures. They will be released if no evidence would be found against them,” Khu said.
Ferrer also said that local government operations in the entire province were temporarily suspended.
“But the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government and local government agencies will be able to come up with a new set up for the local government here in Maguindanao,” Ferrer added.
Apart from arrests, Ferrer said authorities would also be conducting more searches to retrieve other weapons supposedly hidden by the Ampatuans.
“We have dug up the arms cache that is hidden suspectedly by the Ampatuans…but we suspect that there are still some firearms hidden in the province,” Ferrer said.
Meanwhile, Philippine National Police Chief Jesus Verzosa said that also expected to be placed under police custody were other members of the Ampatuan clan – Datu Ulo Ampatuan, Mamasapano Mayor Bahnarin Ampatuan, Salibo Vice Mayor Datu Kanor Ampatuan, and Tony Kenis Ampatuan.
Others facing arrest after they were implicated in the murders were Muhamad Sangki, Tammy Masukat, Tumi Timba Abas, Police Officer 1 Abbey Guiadem, Alias Kumander Beri, and Alias Dahutay.
"We will put into custody all those suspected of rebellion whether directly or indirectly," Verzosa said when reached by phone.
He added that to augment security forces there, an additional company of the Special Action Force has been deployed in the province.
He said that authorities would be guarding against possible clashes with armed groups, confirming of reports that some armed groups were massing in the province.
Verzosa also welcomed the declaration of martial law, saying that it would help both police and military maintain security in the province.
"We have to abide by the purpose of this martial law, which is to resolve the massacre," he added.
