‘Armed men of Ampatuans still roaming around’

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines – Five years ago, Norhaida (not her real name) was working with her family in a cornfield in a sweltering November afternoon when they were jolted by the loud sound of automatic gunfire at the top of a hill near their farm.

They assumed that it was just members of the powerful Ampatuan clan who were test firing their weapons because they usually visit the place to check or show off their arms.

“We ignored the gunfire and continued working until we heard the news in the evening,” Norhaida said.

They left their homes bringing whatever possessions they can cary in their arms, fearing that a war might erupt because of the incident.

“We then learned from the farmers living near our area that they heard people screaming for help before the gunfire erupted,” Norhaida shared.

Five years have passed since the gruesome massacre, but Norhaida and her family are still afraid of the clan, even if some of its members, including the patriarch, have already been arrested.

“It’s hard to live in area where you try to work hard to bring food for your family but you know that danger is lurking nearby with the armed supporters of the Ampatuans still roaming around,” Norhaida said.

In the nearby town of Shariff Aguak, Abdul (not his real name) smiled as he parked his tricycle at a shop at the public market a few kilometers away from the mansions of the Ampatuan clan.

He talked in a hushed tone with his friends in a dark and dusty makeshift store, expressing that with no justice delivered for the victims of the massacre they are still afraid of the power of the Ampatuans.

“Some things changed, but they are still here,” Abdul said.

On November 18, 6 days before from the 5th year commemoration of the massacre, two witnesses were waylaid and peppered with bullets by armed assailants while they were on their way to meet with prosecution lawyers in Buluan, Maguindanao.

Dennix Sakal, former driver of Datu Unsay ex-mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr, died after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds while Butch Saudagal, a former bagman of the clan, is currently recuperating in a hospital in Davao City from his injuries.

Phelim Kine, Human Rights Watch deputy director for Asia, said the death of Sakal shows the “government’s inability or unwillingness to protect witnesses who are key to securing convictions of suspects – including local police and soldiers – implicated in the murders.”

“Dennix Sakal’s killing is a reminder to activists, journalists, and politicians of the vicious status quo in the Philippines in which gunmen with powerful backers routinely get away with murder. Despite the human rights rhetoric of the government of President Benigno Aquino III, individuals who challenge that status quo do so at their peril. As Aquino embarks on the final two years of his presidency, he should recognize that his failure to address the mounting death toll of the Maguindanao massacre could be the ultimate measure of his 6 years in office,” Kine said.

HRW commented that with at least 87 suspects still at large the case is essentially in a judicial limbo.

Meanwhile, the relatives of the victims are hoping that the visit of Pope Francis in the country would help hasten the judicial process for their loved ones.

In a letter written for Pope Francis, the families expressed that 5 years after the incident they can still find no logic behind the barbaric acts committed by the perpetrators.

“Hindi po perpekto ang aming mga kamag-anak. Nakakagawa rin po sila ng mga kasalanan noong sila’y nabubuhay at nakakalimot paminsan-minsan sa mga banal na utos ng Panginoon. Subalit ang patayin sila ng ganun na lamang at ibaon ng parang mga hayop ay hindi katanggap-tanggap,” the families said.

(Our relatives aren’t perfect. They were also sinners when they were alive. But being murdered and buried like animals isn’t acceptable.)

The relatives said that they see Pope Francis’ visit as a symbol of God’s love for people who are crying for justice.

“Nagsusumamo kami sa iyo, mahal na Santo Papa, na tulungan kaming mabigyan ng hustisya. Alam po naming hindi na maibabalik ang buhay ng aming mga mahal sa buhay. Subalit naniniwala kaming ang Diyos ay isang Diyos na may pagmamahal sa katulad naming maliliit at walang kakayahang ipagtanggol ang sarili,” the families appealed.

(We appeal to the Pope to help us get justice. We know our loved ones won’t return from the dead, but we believe our God is a God who takes care of people who can’t defend themselves.)

Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) governor Mujiv Hataman commented that the province is relatively safer compared to 5 years ago, but he admitted that the clan has influence in the area through their positions in several local government units and their private armies.

He said that justice for the victims is already too delayed, but he remarked that the Ampatuans will eventually lose their power in the province as the government continue its reform agenda in the region while security forces pursue its law enforcement operations. – Rappler.com