MANILA, Philippines—Even as the political and security situation in Maguindanao remains volatile, the International Contact Group (ICG) involved in the peace negotiations between the government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front met Friday, it was learned Monday.
Representatives from the governments of the United Kingdom, Japan, and Turkey, as well as those from the four non-government organizations (Center for Humanitarian Dialogue, The Asia Foundation, Conciliation Resources, and Muhammadiyah), met to discuss organizational matters, the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a press statement.
On the other hand, the ICG in a joint statement released after the meeting said: "We welcome the announcement that talks will resume on December 8-9. We hope that future negotiations lead to lasting and just peace and stand ready to provide assistance to help achieve that aim."
...Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Rafael Seguis, who also sits as GRP Peace Panel chairperson, briefed ICG members on the proclamation of martial law in Maguindanao. Both panels are scheduled to formally resume peace talks scheduled tomorrow and Wednesday in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Seguis assured ICG members that the implementation of martial law in Maguindanao is limited in terms of objectives, duration, geographic coverage, and operations.
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2. rebellion charges 'easy way out' for Ampatuans
MANILA, Philippines -- Why provide the Ampatuans with what could be an easy way out?
Members of the opposition in the House of Representatives are shaking their heads at the administration's decision to file rebellion charges against members of the Ampatuan clan who are being linked to the harrowing massacre of 57 people in Maguindanao.
Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo said that since there was no basis to accuse anybody of rebellion in Maguindanao, the Ampatuans could dodge this charge and thus get away with murder.
...The government, in imposing martial law, claimed that the Ampatuans had been mobilizing armed supporters to thwart, by any means, state security forces trying to arrest suspects.
Kabataan Rep. Raymond Palatino pointed out that Moro National Liberation Front leader Nur Misuari was recently acquitted of rebellion for the deadly attack on a military camp in Sulu, and noted that this might be what the administration would want to happen to the cases against the Ampatuans.
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3. wealthy Ampatuans rule over squalor
The Ampatuans’ mansions, with their huge courtyards containing fleets of pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, are rare monuments to wealth in Maguindanao, officially ranked the country’s second poorest province. The province is situated on one of the most fertile river valleys in the country, but it has no signs of industry or economic activity except for tiny farm plots and small public markets.
...The National Economic and Development Authority says 63 percent of Maguindanao’s population of 711,000 are poor, with 342,000 residents earning less than one dollar a day.
The area has been ruled virtually unchallenged by the Ampatuan patriarch for nine years, and he installed many of his relatives into top provincial posts during a reign critics say was characterized by violence and fear. Sixteen out of the 22 towns have mayors belonging to the Ampatuan clan, with lesser posts also occupied by relatives and allies....Raids in Maguindanao following the declaration of martial law on Friday night have uncovered a stunning array of weapons and ammunition that the government insists the Ampatuans illegally amassed.
read more @ inquirer.net4. 330,000 rounds of ammo recovered in raid
MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATE) Police found 330,000 live rounds from an M16 rifle in a warehouse in Maguindanao province, along with firearms and marked vehicles, as authorities continued their search for illegal arms, authorities said on Saturday.
Lt. Col. Randolph Cabangbang, Eastern Mindanao Command spokesman, said the 330 boxes of ammunition were found hidden inside a military truck parked inside the warehouse reportedly owned by Andal Ampatuan Sr.
The warehouse was situated near the provincial jail in Shariff Kabunsuan.
Apart from the thousands of ammunition, authorities also recovered during the raid several vehicles including a military humvee vehicle and an improvised armored vehicle.
read more @ inquirer.net5. Amputuans' have private army of at least 3000 people
MANILA - REBEL forces loyal to a powerful Muslim clan whose area is under martial law in the southern Philippines have engaged troops in clashes, a senior government official said on Monday.
...The Philippine military said on Monday over 3,000 armed followers of the powerful Muslim clan whose provincial stronghold was placed under martial law after a massacre remained a threat.'The number would not be less than 3,000,' said Lieutenant General Raymundo Ferrer, whose forces took over the southern province of Maguindanao after it was placed under martial law on Friday night. 'These (militiamen) are in hiding with their weapons. They have said they will fight and there are many of them,' Gen Ferrer told radio station DZBB from his base in the south. -- AFP
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