Military steps up patrol to prevent repeat of massacre

MANILA, Philippines - The military is stepping up patrols and working closely with the police to prevent an election-related massacre similar to what happened in Maguindanao in 2009.

Speaking to reporters, Armed Forces spokesman Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr. said adjustments have been made to intensify the gathering of intelligence information and to curb election-related violence.

“We have been coordinating with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and other law enforcement agencies in the sharing of information so that whenever we detect possible threats in one area, we can verify it,” he said.

The military is ready to support the police to ensure that the period leading to next year’s elections would be peaceful, Burgos said.

Peter Galvez, Department of National Defense (DND) spokesman, said the public would not allow a repeat of the Maguindanao massacre.

“I believe the Filipino people are maturing,” he said. “These kinds of activities are understood and discouraged. These things should not happen.”

Galvez said the DND and the military would remain neutral during the midterm elections.

“We will support whatever needs to be done to make the elections peaceful,” he said.

“Our Armed Forces will be assisting in whatever way they can to ensure that the election will push through.”

Suspect wants to stay in jail

A suspect in the Maguindanao massacre wants to remain in jail for fear of his life.

During cross-examination, Esmael Canapia told Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes of Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221 that he feels safer in the Metro Manila Detention Center in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig.

Canapia said he was not part of the armed band that killed 58 people in Ampatuan town in Maguindanao on Nov. 23, 2009.

His counter-affidavit was produced only after the prosecution told him that he would be turned into a state witness, he added.

Investigation showed that some of the slugs found at the massacre site matched those in the rifle of Canapia, a member of the Special CAFGU Active Auxiliary in Ampatuan town.

He did not know that his rifle was used in the massacre because he had left it with another suspect, militiaman Takpan Dilon, the day before the massacre, Canapia said.

Prosecutor Amor Robles declined to comment on the statement of Canapia.

It will be up to the judge to decide on the motion, Robles added.

The defense is blocking the bid to turn Canapia, Dilon and a third suspect, policeman Rex Ariel Diongon, into state witnesses.

Their testimonies will only corroborate the accounts of other prosecution witnesses, the prosecution said.

Fifty-eight people were killed in the Maguindanao massacre in the town of Ampatuan on Nov. 23, 2009.

The victims were on their way to file the certificate of candidacy for governor of Maguindanao of then Buluan, Maguindanao vice mayor Esmael Mangudadatu when they were killed.

Killed were 16 members of the Mangudadatu clan, 32 journalists and several innocent civilians.

Authorities suspect that the motive behind the killings was political rivalry as Mangudadatu was running against then Datu Unsay, Maguindanao Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr.

A total of 195 people have been implicated in the murders, including members of the Ampatuan clan, members of civilian volunteer organizations, militiamen, and police.

More than 90 suspects remain at large. – With Janvic Mateo