Mangudadatu: Arrest other massacre suspects

BULUAN, Maguindanao , Philippines  – Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu yesterday ordered the police to continue tracking down the suspects still at large in last year’s massacre of 57 people, including his wife and more than 30 journalists.

Mangudadatu issued the order as he and Vice Gov. Dustin Mastura formally took over the provincial capitol, which the Ampatuans controlled until they were implicated in the carnage.

Among those charged but are still at large are three grandchildren of former governor Andal Ampatuan Sr., two of them former mayors, and close relative Datu Kanor, former acting governor of Salibo town.

Mangudadatu vowed that he would never unduly use his powers as governor to persecute members of the Ampatuan clan not implicated in the massacre.

He said his main concern now is to push a vigorous education program and efficient delivery of health and social welfare services for impoverished and far-flung communities in the province.

Meanwhile, Mangudadatu and Mastura both gave assurance of their support to the peace process, saying they would reach out to the joint ceasefire committee of the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Malaysian-led International Monitoring Team to hasten the enforcement of all preliminary security agreements in flashpoint areas in the province.

The Ampatuans were known for their deep-seated animosity toward the MILF.