An Insider’s Account on the Forensic Investigation of the Nov23 Ampatuan/Maguindanao Massacre

Seven Years,  Still No Justice

Photo taken at the Ampatuan Massacre memorial site.

Seven years ago today, we experienced one of the most barbaric and gruesome massacre in the Philippine electoral history. We recall the cold blooded murder of the 58 individuals more known as the Ampatuan/Maguindanao massacre on November 23, 2009 at a small hill in Masalay, Ampatuan. The massacre was carried out by the Ampatuan's militias. They tried to cover their crimes by burying the vehicles of Toto Mangudadatu's wife, lawyers and journalists and their bodies in a mass grave using a backhoe. The murdered were part of a convoy on their way to Cotabato City to file the former's certificate of candidacy for the position of Governor in Maguindanao, contesting Andal Ampatuan Sr's candidacy. At first only 57 cases of murder were filed since it was only that number found at the massacre site. A forensic investigation facilitated by the Commission on Human Rights and the Center Law Philippines found the denture of another journalist, Bebot Momay of Midland Review,  though without a body (http://tubongmindanaw.blogspot.com/2014/12/an-insiders-account-on-forensic.html  ). Thus, the total number of victims became 58.

In the Ampatuan massacre, we saw political warlordism and political clientelism at its worst consequence. When the massacre happened, the Ampatuan clan ruled the Province of Maguindanao, with the patriarch, Andal Ampatuan Sr, the governor of the province and his sons mayors of Maguindanao towns including other relatives. The Province was literally in the Ampatuan's tight grips. 

   It is in the 70's when the Ampatuan clan began its rise in the political arena. The former dictator President Marcos worked on curbing the Moro separatist insurgency. He used some people to help him avert the insurgency by placing his trust on certain people to rule the Province. Andal Ampatuan, Sr., was one of those people where he ruled as Mayor of Maganoy town, now Shariff Aguak. It was also during this period that Marocs approved the gerrymandering of the Maguindanao province creating new towns to accommodate other political families to gain their loyalty. Over the years and counting administrations, Andal Ampatuan, Sr.  remained in power and gained political influence and prominence. With his tight grip in the province, Maguindanao became notorious as a vote factory for politicians running for national posts during elections via command votes of its leaders. So that in the 2004 elections, the Province of Maguindanao delivered votes in favor of Arroyo. It was that that cemented a strong alliance between former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and the Ampatuans. Private security for politicians was also supported by law which was abused as soon private militias of politicians grew, especially the Ampatuans. When warrants were issued for the arrest of the perceived mastermind of the massacre at the Ampatuans' mansions, cache of arms and armored cars were found. The weapons in their possession seemed to surpass weapons of the armory of the 6th Infantry Division in Awang.

   Tales of other massacres came forth, especially for individuals that expressed dissent for the local autocrat and for those who crossed them. According to these stories, the bodies were also buried in the same site. Of course, none were ever investigated and no cases filed as no witnesses came forth. Claims that police, military and the CAFGUs were under their payroll also went around especially that no one responded to the distressed call of Toto Mangungudatu when he was informed that the convoy was stopped in the municipality of Ampatuan.

   Aside from gaining political influence, the Ampatuan clan have also amassed wealth. They lived in scandalous luxury with their mansions in comparison to their constituents who lived in abject poverty. Maguindanao Province always scored the lowest in the Human Development Index in the country.

  After the massacre, families of victims continue to cry for justice. Many of them were harassed and physically threatened to drop their cases. This also extended to their lawyers some of whom where killed. Some of the witnesses were also murdered. The trial had been painfully slow for the families of the victims. Last year the Ampatuan patriarch died in the hospital from liver cancer while facing trial. 

  Seven years today, no end is insight for the Ampatuan trial but the murder of witnesses,  the resurgence of Ampatuan rule in some Maguindanao municipalities while the victims' families wait in vain for justice. 

  Presently, the dictator who helped the Ampatuan clan first gained influence is now buried in the Libingan ng mga Bayani. He was accorded a hero's burial with the approval of another Mindanaon, Pres. Rodrigo Duterte.

11:30 AM
23 November 2016
Q.C.