Isko, other vice-mayors tour 'Maguindanao massacre' site

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines - Manila Vice-Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso on Thursday urged residents of Maguindanao to move on from the Nov.23, 2009 “Maguindanao Massacre,” but never forget the incident.

The Manila vice-mayor and members of the National League of Vice Mayors also toured the site where 58 people, more than half of them journalists, were allegedly murdered by the  Ampatuan clan and their private army in the worst ever election-related violence in the country.

Domogoso, who is national president of the league, and other vice mayors from all over the country were in Maguindanao from May 21 to 22 for their executive board meeting in Buluan town.

The meeting was held in the province on the behest of Buluan Vice-Mayor King Mangudadatu and his patriarch, Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu, to disprove misconceptions about the security situation in the province.

Domogoso said some officials of the league’s national chapter were initially  hesitant to come to Maguindanao for fear of their lives.

“Now we have seen there is peace and calm in the province. It is even safer to roam around here because there are no mobile phone snatchers, no robbers that might come near you,” he said.

Domogoso said they  also feel the importance of the peace efforts of the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

He also lauded the compliance of both the government and the MILF to the ceasefire, which resulted in the lack of hostilities between the paties.

Domogoso urged other political leaders to help promote Maguindanao as an investment destination.

Gov. Mangudadatu  has informed members of the mayors’ league of various business projects in the province including Cavendish banana and oil palm plantations in areas that are known bastions of the MILF.