Philippine Massacre Suspect's Rival Files Candidacy For Governor

November 27, 2009 10:45 a.m. EST

Manila, Philippines (AHN) - The vice mayor who lost his wife, two sisters and several other family members in the worst election-related violence in recent Philippine history has filed his certificate of candidacy for governor. Buluan Vice Mayor Ibrahim "Toto" Mangudadatu made his campaign official, under the political party that only a day ago expelled Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., his political rival and the prime suspect in the massacre of 57 people.

The nomination papers were on the way to the local election office Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao on Monday, carried by his wife in a convoy of six vehicles, when tragedy struck. About 100 armed men allegedly blocked the convoy and led it to an uninhabited area near Barangays Salman and Malatin.

Mangudadatu's wife, Genalyn, was found dead later that day, along with 22 others. The death toll now stands at 57, including several other family members of the vice mayor, two lawyers, 24 journalists who planned to cover the filing of election papers, and local officials from the city of Tacurong who, according to Senior Supt. Willie Dangane, "happened to be there [at the highway]" the convoy was traveling.

Mangudadatu filed his nominating papers for governor at Shariff Aguak on Thursday, accompanied by the Lakas-Kampi-Christian Muslim Democrats' 2010 presidential candidate and protected by 300 military and police personnel.

The previous day, the ruling coalition had expelled Ampatuan, who was seeking to succeed his father as governor, amid intense public outcry about the pace of the investigation and concerns of a whitewash. Ampatuan's father, clan patriarch and Maguindanao Provincial Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr., his brother, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Regional Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan, were also expelled.

Ampatuan is currently detained at the National Burea of Investigation in Manila. He will be indicted on Tuesday on seven counts of murder.

The administration of President Gloria Macapaga Arroyo has assured "forceful" and "relentless" action against the perpetrators, but has failed to silence critics who point out that it took three days before Ampatuan was taken into custody despite evidence, such as witness accounts and a backhoe owned by the governor's office, clearly linking him and his family to the executions. The administration had also called Ampatuan's arrest as a "turn over," and pointed out in a news release that he "was not handcuffed when he was taken to National Bureau of Investigation."

The United Nations has asked the government that "no effort be spared to bring justice and to hold the perpetrators accountable." And some opposition lawmakers have called for an independent investigation into the killings by an international agency. But Lorelei Fajardo, a spokesman for the President, said on Thursday there is no need for this since the government has "competent investigators."

The same day, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said in a statement, "To the rest of the world, who may now look at us in less than favorable light, do not doubt our resolve to redeem our honor. We are a civilized country... We will not rest until we can take our place once again among the ranks of the civilized world. And we will do that by identifying the culprits, by bringing them before the bar of justice, and by meting out a just and appropriate punishment to the guilty."

Part of a region that has seen centuries of strife between Muslims and Christians, Maguindanao is a province shaped by the rivalry of political clans. The power of the families includes control of the local police force, all of whom in the town of Ampatuan are now under investigation. Officials have sufficient evidence against four officers to charge them.

Arroyo has given "blanket authority" to the Interior and Local Government Department to suspend and fire local civilian, military and police officials in the province. The provincial capitol is also currently under the control of the Army.