At least 30 killed in 'gruesome massacre of civilians' in the Philippines The victims -- many of them beheaded -- include 13 women, one of whom was an official's wife carrying papers to nominate him for governor. Reporting from Seoul and Zamboanga City, Philippines -- Authorities discovered the bodies of at least 30 people who had been kidnapped early today in the southern Philippines and called the incident politically motivated slaughter. The victims -- at least 13 of them women -- reportedly included a dozen journalists as well as lawyers and a woman who had planned to file her husband's nomination for elections next year. Many victims had been beheaded and buried, authorities said. "This is a gruesome massacre of civilians unequaled in recent history," said Jesus Dureza, a Maguindanao province official. "There must be a total stop to this senseless violence and carnage." The convoy of political activists was hijacked by an estimated 100 gunmen as they rode in several vans near the town of Ampatuan, said Army Col. Jonathan Ponce, a spokesman for the 6th Infantry Division. Ampatuan is a city in Maguindanao province, on the island of Mindanao. The bodies were later found about three miles away. Philippine military troops were searching for at least a dozen more victims who also had been among the group. "Many of them [were] beheaded, including probably journalists," Ponce said. "Troops are in the area and tracking down those responsible in these killings." The group included the wife of Buluan township Vice Mayor Ismael Mangudadatu, along with his two sisters, supporters and local journalists. Officials say they were en route to nearby Shariff Aguak township to file Mangudadatu's nomination papers for the position of governor of Maguindanao province. In a statement, Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo condemned the violence. "Civilized society has no place for this kind of violence," she said. "No effort will be spared to bring justice to the victims and hold the perpetrators accountable to the full limit of the law." Eid Kabalu, a leader of the country's largest Muslim rebel group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, called the attacks "gruesome." "What we learned is that at least 41 people were seized in Ampatuan town," he said, "and many of these were reported killed, including women." Late today, the Philippines National Press Club criticized what officials called the withholding of information by authorities on the fate of the journalists. "We were shocked and grieved to hear what happened to our colleagues," said club President Benny Antiporda. He said the group would hold a candlelight vigil Tuesday evening at the headquarters of the National Police and the Armed Forces to protest what he suggested was government stonewalling. "We appeal to the police, the military, the public officials to forget their friendships and other relationships with others and give priority to the search for justice for our brothers," Antiporda said. Human-rights activists said they believed a dozen journalists had been killed. "The Philippines is a very dangerous place for reporters, especially in the south," said Vincent Brossel, head of the Asia desk for the Paris-based Reporters Without Borders. "There is a large culture of violence, nepotism and impunity to law and order," Brossel said. "There are influential rich and powerful people who do whatever they want. But if this number is confirmed, it will be the biggest slaughter in this country in many years." Philippines deputy presidential advisor Lorelei Fajardo said authorities "should immediately identify whoever are responsible for this, in order for the government to show the people that we will not allow this kind of violence." Elections in the Philippines are traditionally violent, especially in the southern provinces. On May 14, more than 45 million Filipinos will go to the polls to choose among 87,000 candidates vying for 17,000 national and local positions -- including 268 House seats and half of the 24 currently seated in the country's Senate. Mindanao is home to numerous armed groups, including Muslim rebels fighting for self-rule in the predominantly Roman Catholic nation, and political warlords and gangs who wage war against one another. Col. Romeo Brawner, spokesman of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said authorities were still identifying the dead using identification cards and other documents found at the scene. Troops have been sent to the scene to prevent retaliation. "We launched rescue operations at 11:30 this morning," he said. "Unfortunately, it turned out to be a recovery operation." source
Does it matter? You seem really fixated on everyone's religion and not on the acts. It sounds pretty horrible that dozens of people were killed and beheaded just because they were trying to submit nomination papers to run in an election.
Honestly I never even read the content, until you answered. but your right it doesn't matter, horrific acts are horrific acts. You care awfully much about Muslims, I think it's amazing that a citizen of the world cares so much about one group. I on the other hand have to spread myself out because the UK and many others abuses human rights including America in fact it's a worldwide problem, I do criticize the main religious groups Muslims, Jews and Christians too but I think Muslims have a special place in your heart and that much dedication should be rewarded by acknowledgement. Your thread history shows your projecting again: At least 30 killed in 'gruesome massacre of civilians' in the Philippines (Muslims) Women disappointed by Gaddafi "party" (Muslims) Iraq Swears by Bomb Detector U.S. Sees as Useless (Muslims) FBI kills leader of radical Muslims; 6 held in raids (Muslims) New fundamentalist movements on the rise in Gaza (Muslims) Chicago Men Planned Attack Over Danish Cartoon of Prophet (Muslims) Rights Watchdog, Lost in the Mideast (Muslims) Somali Islamists whip women for wearing bras (Muslims) The Hunted (Muslims) Sudanese woman guilty of wearing pants, sent to jail (Muslims) Malaysia Muslims protest proposed Hindu temple (Muslims) Iran assembly approves most of hard-line Cabinet (Muslims) Hamas fight with Islamic radicals kills 13 in Gaza (Muslims) Man scandalises Saudi Arabia with TV sex confession (Muslims) Why We Don't Want a Nuclear-Free World (Muslims) Chinese troops flood into restive Urumqi (Muslims) Terror Names Linked To Doomed Flight AF 447 (Muslims) Suicide blast at mosque in Pakistan kills 30 (Muslims) Iran President and Challenger Clash in Heated Debate (Muslims) Palestinian Terrorist flees to Lebanon, FBI confirms (Muslims) Taliban recruits teenage suicide bombers for revenge attacks (Muslims) Afghan women attacked for protesting marriage law (Muslims) Tiny horse trains as guide for blind Muslim woman (Muslims) Pakistan funeral bomb 'kills 20' (Muslims) Hamas probe 'to unveil military failings over Gaza' (Muslims) Jordan Has An Arrangement With Hamas (Muslims) President Obama Does First Formal TV Interview as President with Al-Arabiya (Muslims) Hamas wants Abbas to stop peace talks with Israel (Muslims) The Bullets in My In-Box (Israel - Palestine) (Muslims) Obama urges Israel to open Gaza borders (Muslims) Hamas and Its Discontents (Muslims) No early end seen to 'war' on Hamas in Gaza (Muslims) Facts about Palestinian group Hamas (Muslims) Israeli warplanes pursue Gaza weapons warehouses (Muslims) Hamas declares Israel truce over (Muslims) Iranians mock Holocaust on annual Jerusalem Day (Muslims)
Why do you assume this violent act was done by Muslims? That is nowhere in the story and in fact the leader of the Muslim rebel group condemned the attack. It is funny that both Muslims and Catholics can manage to condemn the attack but Toopac from the UK has his head too far up his ass to realize it and instead is trying to make this about Muslims. "Civilized society has no place for this kind of violence," she said. "No effort will be spared to bring justice to the victims and hold the perpetrators accountable to the full limit of the law." Eid Kabalu, a leader of the country's largest Muslim rebel group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, called the attacks "gruesome." It is sad that you don't even bother to read and proudly admit it. I guess that is why you come off as such an ignorant fool in many of these threads. By the way many of those threads of mine you cited deal with abuses committed against Muslims. (you have to read them to get past your own ignorant prejudices) You seem only to care about issues when certain religions are either the victims or perpetrators. Unlike you, I have not expressed any hatred or dislike of any religion or religious persons. Also, unlike you I do not attribute the acts of small groups of religious people to every member of the group. The irony is not lost on me that the very thing you accuse everyone else of doing, you are guilty of yourself. In nearly every thread, you are the one who turns the topic to individuals religion, instead of commenting on the acts. It is you, who groups all Jews or all Muslims together ignoring the reality that within each group are very different sets of people with very different beliefs.
I already posted above as to why I knew it was something Muslim. I think it's great though well done!
That was the first time I have seen you applaud murderous actions on this forum! What part was well done? The removing of heads? The plan and the crew pulling it off? I will admit, I am shocked, not many are as open as you are. The FBI will have you on a watch now.
So it was posted to be hateful? that was the goal? not to show love and compassion for people being beheaded? Do you mean I gave brown credit for nothing? Fuck the FBI.
COTABATO CITY, Philippines—The Ampatuans and the Mangudadatus were once political allies. In 2001, they even joined hands in toppling an incumbent governor from power. All that changed on Monday with the massacre of more than 40 people, including members of the Mangudadatu clan, in a village of Maguindanao province, where the Ampatuans have ruled unchallenged for years. The ties that bound the two clans began to fray in May this year when talk spread that Buluan Vice Mayor Esmael Mangudadatu would run for governor of Maguindanao in next May’s elections. That seemed like a direct challenge on the Ampatuans’ hold on power. The Ampatuans and the Mangudadatus are both political allies of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. In the 2004 presidential election, Maguindanao Governor Andal Ampatuan Sr., the patriarch of the clan, proved his worth to Arroyo by delivering votes in massive numbers for her, helping her defeat the late actor Fernando Poe Jr., amid charges of fraud. In some towns, Poe ended up with zero votes. In the 2007 elections, despite being pummeled by the opposition in many areas in the country, Arroyo’s Team Unity senatorial candidates routed the opposition in Maguindanao. In all, the Ampatuan family controls 10 of Maguindanao’s 29 towns. Explaining his political longevity, Ampatuan Sr. once said in an interview: "It’s because of popular support." Days before Christmas in 2007, he created a sensation at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport when, seeing off a son, he handed P1,000 each in cash to airport workers. Claiming to be descended from the Shariff clan of the old Arabia, the Ampatuans entered Philippine politics in the 1930s when Datu Mamasapano Ampatuan, son of a 19th century Ampatuan patriarch, served as political adviser to his brother in-law, Datu Ugalingan Piang, who became member of the Commonwealth Assembly. He later also served as political adviser to his father in-law, Datu Piang Tan, a member of the Commonwealth Senate. Mamasapano, after whom a Maguindanao town was named, was the younger brother of Hadji Hassan, the father of Governor Andal Ampatuan Sr. Of Mamasapano’s siblings, two others became mayor of Maganoy (now Shariff Aguak)—Datu Akilan and Datu Pinagayao, who served in the administrations of Presidents Ramon Magsaysay, Carlos Garcia, Diosdado Macapagal and Ferdinand Marcos. Datu Ishak Ampatuan, son of Mamasapano, was mayor of Datu Piang town in the 1950s. His brother Datu Mudi was municipal councilor of the Datu Piang. Both were members of the Liberal Party that was formidable in the first Macapagal presidency. Datu Ishak’s son, Zam Ampatuan, later became energy undersecretary under Ms Arroyo. Zam’s brother Yakub is a mayor of Rajah Buayan town. In 2002, one of the elder Ampatuan’s sons figured in a shooting incident in Cotabato City and was killed. Two days later, another son, Datu Saudi, was killed, along with 14 of his companions and supporters, in a roadside bomb attack in his town. The Ampatuan family is often described as “traditionalist,†adhering, so it is said, to seniority in bloodline in matters of leadership selection. After 10 years of being undefeated as mayor and vice mayor of his town, Ampatuan Sr. aimed for the gubernatorial post in 2001. Supported by the Mangudadatus, he handily beat then incumbent Gov. Zacaria Candao. With their political influence, the Ampatuan family backed the creation of more towns named after their forebears—Datu Mamasapano, Datu Abdullah Sangki, Datu Salibo, or even children, Datu Hoffer, Datu Saudi, and Datu Unsay, where Datu Andal Ampatuan Jr. is mayor. In September 2005, another son of Ampatuan Sr., Zaldy, captured the governorship of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), beating known regional political figures, including the late Lanao del Sur Gov. Mahid Mutilan. The Mangudadatus started their own reign in Maguindanao politics in 1986 during the Aquino administration when the family patriarch, Datu Pua Mangudadatu was appointed mayor of Buluan, Maguindanao. At some point, the Ampatuan and Mangudadatu clans were close to each other. It was said that before he died of illness, Datu Pua left his politician-children under the care and tutelage of the elder Ampatuan. The two old men had been very close friends. A rift developed following rumors that Esmael Mangudadatu would run for governor in 2010. Their ties snapped when the Mangudadatus purportedly blocked the creation of Adam municipality to be culled from the towns that they control in the south-eastern tip of the province. It was said that the proposed town did not meet the population criteria required by law. The name Adam apparently comes from the name of the deceased father of Supt. Piang Adam, a former police provincial director said to be loyal to the elder Ampatuan and his son Andal Jr. In July this year, an Adam relative was killed by armed men. Police later disarmed some Mangudadatu followers. http://politics.inquirer.net/view.php?db=1&article=20091124-238115
A few miles (kilometers) off the main highway, on a remote hilltop covered with waist-high grass, bodies lay with twisted hands reaching in the air. They had been shot point-blank. Nearby, bodies were being laid out under banana leaves Tuesday as police — their faces covered against the stench — unearthed a mass grave containing 22 victims from Monday's ambush on an election caravan. The discovery brought the death toll to 46 — an unprecedented act of violence at the outset of the country's election season. As many as five people remained unaccounted for. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo declared a state of emergency in Maguindanao and a neighboring southern province, sending extra troops and police to try to impose the rule of law. "No effort will be spared to bring justice to the victims and hold the perpetrators accountable to the full limit of the law," she said. Few think she will be successful in the impoverished, lawless region that has been outside the central government's reach for generations, and where warlords backed by private armies go by their own rules. Authorities said the victims included at least 13 Filipino journalists from regional newspapers, TV and radio stations who were accompanying family members and supporters of a gubernatorial candidate out to file his nomination papers for May 2010 elections. Noynoy Espina, vice chairman of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, said as many as 20 journalists may have been in the convoy, based on reports from union chapters in the area. The figures could not be immediately reconciled, but still the deaths marked "the largest single massacre of journalists ever," according to Paris-based Reporters Without Borders. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the "heinous crime committed in the context of a local election campaign" and hoped that "no effort will be spared to bring justice and to hold the perpetrators accountable," U.N. spokeswoman Michele Montas said at U.N. headquarters in New York. Dozens of gunmen intercepted the caravan as it traveled on a two-lane highway that cuts across vast open tracts of land and banana groves, police said. They took some of the people to the grassy area, where the killings started. Authorities found 24 bullet-riddled bodies sprawled on the ground next to five abandoned vehicles. Police, aided by a backhoe, worked most of Tuesday to extricate the bodies from the mass grave. All had been shot multiple times and were dumped on top of one another. One was a pregnant woman. Grieving relatives helped identify their loved ones before they were given the bodies, covered by banana leaves, for burial. The gubernatorial candidate, Ismael Mangudadatu, was not in the convoy because he had received death threats. He accused a powerful political rival from the Amputuan clan of carrying out the killings. Mangudadatu's wife, Genalyn, and his two sisters, were among the dead, he said. In all, 21 women and 25 men died, said military spokesman Col. Jonathan Ponce. Mangudadatu said four witnesses in his protection, whom he refused to identify, had told him the convoy was stopped by gunmen loyal to Andal Ampatuan Jr., a town mayor and rival, to prevent Mangudadatu's family from filing election papers. "It was really planned because they had already dug a huge hole (for the bodies)," Mangudadatu said. He said there were reports from the area that the militia had been blocking the road for a few days. The Ampatuans, who have ruled one of the nation's poorest regions since 2001, could not be reached for comment. Arroyo's peace adviser Jesus Dureza said he met Tuesday with Andal Ampatuan, the family's patriarch, and received assurances that his family would cooperate in the investigation. It was not clear how far Arroyo's administration would go in trying to force the provincial warlords to give up their weapons and private armies. But Maguindanao's provincial police chief and three other officers were relieved of duty and confined to camp after they were reported to have been seen with the pro-government militiamen who stopped the convoy, police said. Such militiamen are meant to act as an auxiliary force mobilized by the police or military to fight rebels and criminals, but often they act as private enforcers of local warlords. Much of the southern island of Mindanao, including Maguindanao province, used to be ruled by fiercely independent sultans who fought Spanish and American colonizers. The political dynasties of the Ampatuans and the Mangudadatus behave in a much similar way — ruling by force, unopposed in their turfs with little outside interference. Julkipli Wadi, a professor of Islamic studies at the University of the Philippines, said he doubted the national government's resolve in trimming the powers of political dynasties like the Ampatuans because they deliver votes during elections. "Because of the absence of viable political institutions, powerful men are taking over," he said. "Big political forces and personalities in the national government are sustaining the warlords, especially during election time, because they rely on big families for their votes."