AFP: Ampatuan CVOs have joined up with MILF

BULUAN, Maguindanao, Philippines – More than 400 militiamen loyal to the Ampatuans have joined the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in racing against government troops to retrieve the clan’s arsenal buried in various parts of Maguindanao, the military said yesterday.

Army Maj. Randolf Cabangbang told The STAR members of the Civilian Volunteer Organizations (CVOs) implicated in last year’s Maguindanao massacre had linked up with the 106th MILF Base Command.

“In exchange for firearms and pledge to help them locate and unearth the buried firearms of the Ampatuans, the MILF under the 106th Base Command in Shariff Aguak are now protecting the Ampatuans’ militiamen,” he said.

Intelligence reports said the MILF forces are led by Commanders Adam and Itim Ampatuan, close relatives of Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., principal suspect in the Maguindanao massacre.

Cabanbang said the MILF fighters belonging to the 106th Base Command were able to recover more than 300 high-powered firearms believed owned by the Ampatuans in the hinterlands of Shariff Aguak with help from the militiamen.

“Hindi lamang mga pulis at military operatives ang naghuhukay ngayon ng armas pati na ang mga MILF at ang mga natitirang mga militiamen ng mga Ampatuans na nakikipag-kumpetensiya at nakikipag-unahan sa mga government operatives na ma-recover ang mga hidden firearms at validated ‘yang report na ‘yan,” he said.

‘GMA also to blame for massacre’

President Arroyo must bear part of responsibility for the cold-blooded killing of nearly 60 civilians in Maguindanao last year, according to a lawmaker.

Bukidnon Rep. Teofisto Guingona III said Mrs. Arroyo cannot wash her hands of the Maguindanao massacre.

“How can GMA be blameless for the massacre?” he asked. “How can she claim that the violence was simply a result of a family feud?”

Guingona said the Ampatuans lorded it over Maguindanao with the consent of the administration.

“The Ampatuans were GMA’s local warlords,” he said.

“If she truly wanted to enforce the rule of law, then she should have imprisoned the members of all warring clans found guilty of violent acts. Instead, she promoted the Ampatuan clan because she benefited from their actions.

“The Ampatuans had played a significant role in ensuring GMA’s victory in the 2004 presidential election. They also delivered an incredible 12-0 victory for GMA’s senatorial bets in 2007.”

Guingona said the Ampatuans’ multi-million peso mansions in Maguindanao and in Davao City are proof of their “excesses.”

“They lived like absolute monarchs in their impoverished province, while most Maguindanaoans wallowed in poverty,” he said.

Ampatuan Sr. still in military hospital

DAVAO CITY -- Former Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr. remains a patient at the Armed Forces Eastern Mindanao Command hospital inside Camp Panacan for almost two months now.

Maj. Randolph Cabangbang, Eastmincom spokesman, said Ampatuan Sr. remains confined in his room in the military hospital.

The military is awaiting an order from the Department of Justice as to where to detain Ampatuan Sr., he added.

Cabangbang said Ampatuan is being monitored for his diabetes and hypertension.

Lately he has been undergoing physical therapy as a result of the ailment borne out of lengthened hospital stay, he added. — With Jess Diaz, Edith Regalado