New Philippine Revolution

Mrs. Arroyo files her bid for Congress

2009-12-01T08:50:00.000+08:00

Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is filing her Certificate of Candidacy for Congressman today, validating earlier fears that the next administration will just be a transitory one.

It seems that the strategic end-game is charter change.

And it will happen, since Congress already passed a law calling on the election of members of the Constitutional Convention come October 2010. A measure has already been enacted appropriating a budget for this.

Now, if we are headed towards charter change by October of 2010, why are we doing this messy business of electing a president by May 2010? Why are we so a-gog in electing someone to replace Mrs. Arroyo when the role of the next will just be transitory?

For one, there will actually be a very good legal question on this.

For example, if we shift to a parliamentary setup and a Prime Minister is elected among his peers, who will be more powerful---the president who is elected at large, or the Prime Minister who is elected by the representatives of the People?

In our jurisdiction, the Supreme Court puts greater emphasis on those elected by vox populi. So, it should be the President. The question really is--come 2010 and beyond, who will have the power to appoint key positions in government---the Prime Minister or the president? Who will have a nominal role?

Now, on the realm of possibilities, this is possible. The question really is--how strong is the composition of the Senate by 2010? If the end-game is charter change, the only institution strong enough to serve as the last bulwark of democracy is the Senate. If we elect those who favor charter change by 2010 to the Senate, then, this might yet be realized by next year.

For us to repulse this plan by Mrs. Arroyo, the opposition has to get 200 seats in Congress, dominate the Senate and win the presidency. Tough order right?

From today up to May, expect fireworks from differing camps to heat the election derby up. Expect more Maguindanao massacres, since the military continues to tolerate armed groups and private armies.

Maguindanao: From Warlord to Warlord

2009-11-28T08:35:00.000+08:00

Buluan vice mayor Toto Mangundadatu successfully filed his Certificate of Candidacy for the gubernatorial post in Sharif Aguak Maguindanao. This came a few days after the massacre which led to the killing of his wife and 61 others (latest update on the Maguindanao massacre: 62 people killed). Accompanied by former defense secretary and now presidentiable, Gilbert Teodoro, Mangundadatu says the filing is just one small step towards the liberation of the Maguindanaoans. " This is freedom day" says Mangundadatu.

It probably was freedom day, since the Central Government has decided to place the entire ARMM under the DILG and the government is slowly dismantling the Ampatuan evil regime.

If you look at it though, it was probably "freedom day" for the Mangundadatus, but NOT the Maguindanaoans. The Mangundadatus can claim "freedom" because the government is doing what they failed to do---dismantle and neutralize their political enemy.

What would happen in Maguindanao is true to the rest of Mindanao should a peace pact is signed---the transfer of power from a non-Muslim hegemon to a Muslim warlord.

If Mangundadatu wins, it will just be a transfer of power from a warlord to another warlord. And that is not the solution to the Mindanao problem. For the people of Maguindanao will still be enslaved by powers controlled by the Central Government.

The only time that the Bangsamoros can really claim "freedom" is the day they, the Bangsamoro People, defeat these warlord clans, put them all in jail and establish an Independent Democratic State. If the Bangsamoros create their own Bangsamoro Islamic Liberation Army and pacify these areas controlled by armed and lawless elements, then, that would surely be Freedom Day.

I have one advice to our fellow Muslim brothers and sisters in Bangsamoro land---turn towards Allah SWT. Allah will give you peace. Struggle under Allah SWT's banner.

The Maguindanao Massacre and the Bangsamoro Struggle for Freedom

2009-11-28T08:11:00.000+08:00

Local Government secretary Ronnie Puno now heads the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) under the Executive Order signed by Mrs. Arroyo placing the entire region under a State of Emergency. The decision was based on the potential security implications of the Maguindanao incident.

This so-called "takeover" of the national government of ARMM shows one thing--it proved that the 1993 Peace Agreement is a failure. This action by the government shows that autonomy is not the best governance model for the Bangsamoros.

The best solution to the Mindanao problem is LEAVE THE BANGSAMOROS ALONE. LET THEM SEPARATE FROM THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES AND GIVE THEM THEIR OWN STATE.

By giving them their own state, they will be able to take care of themselves. They would try to resolve problems among themselves.

However, a True State status should not be GRANTED but EARNED by the Bangsamoros through struggle. There is no other way.

If self-rule emanates from a ceremonial grant from the National Government, it would just lead to violence because leadership obviously would just be transferred from a non-Muslim hegemon to a Muslim warlord hegemon.

This was obviously the game plan of the administration. The Ampatuans and the Mangundadatus were given enormous powers and influence by the palace to counter-act Bangsamoro civil society and the MILF-MNLF. If the peace pact is signed, the Ampatuans would have played a major role in the new Bangsamoro Republic.

If this happens, then, all hell would break loose. A civil war would surely happen since Bangsamoro civil society would have to fight these traditional warlord clans and their armed militias for power. The Bangsamoro struggle, therefore, would not end with a peaceful resolution of the conflict thru the bargaining table.

In fact, the peace process is just one step towards the true liberation of the Bangsamoro People.

Yet, I believe that should a civil war do break out shortly after the signing of a peace pact, it would be brief, provided that, indeed, the Philippine military is honest enough in dismantling those private armies and militias.

But, will the AFP do this? No.

Mindanao is a property being claimed by various interests. And Mindanao happens to be a strategic interest by the military.

Mass Murderer Andal Ampatuan Jr. is surety bond

2009-11-27T12:05:00.000+08:00

How to trigger massive violence in Mindanao? Simple. If anything bad happens to mass murderer Andal Ampatuan Jr. who is now detained at the NBI office in Manila, that would surely trigger rido in Maguindanao and the entire Mindanao.

And if the Opposition thinks that they can force the Ampatuan clan to divulge juicy details of Hello Garci, think again. The Government, by arresting and detaining Andal Ampatuan, committed one single act of assuring that these "secret Hello Garci documents" remain locked, stocked and barrelled.

Mrs. Arroyo now has the younger Andal Ampatuan under government custody. The younger Ampatuan is now Mrs. Arroyo's most precious commodity, err, her most important asset, a surety if you will, against possible "spillage" of info relating to Hello Garci.

In fact, if you look at it, the younger Andal is now a hostage. Threats against his life are being floated about austensibly for the senior Andal's personal consumption---Arroyo and her hawks want Andal Ampatuan to forever keep his mouth shut or something bad will happen to the 40-year old mass murderer.

Government assets are like vultures flying above the head of the younger Ampatuan. If the Patriarch balks and sends feelers to the Opposition that he's now ready to talk, then, for sure, the younger Andal will either die immediately or spend his entire life in chains.

Such is the life of those who think they are gods.

The younger Andal knows all the secrets of that Maguindanao Hello Garci operation. The Ampatuans know all the dirty things politicians did. The clan knows that they had the upper hand--they can go to the other side and sell the information in exchange for freedom.

I don't know if the elder Ampatuan already realize this---they don't have an ace anymore when they surrendered junior to Jesus Dureza. In fact, Arroyo now has the upper hand.

The detention of Andal also has a very serious security implication---if someone kills him, that would trigger violence not just in Mindanao but also in Metro Manila---justifying the imposition of a state of emergency even in NCR.

And we all know that the NBI is not the best place to keep a mass murderer. I remember months prior to the coup that ousted Erap, several NBI agents were killed there.

This Maguindanao massacre has tragedy written all over it.

Question really is---is Ampatuan ready to be betrayed by his principal? Mrs. Arroyo has a history of sacrificing her Knights for self-preservation. And mind you, in this one, the Ampatuans also incurred enemies from the military and the police who now occupy high positions in the state security establishment. It is to their best interests for the Ampatuans to keep their mouths shut.

Adel Tamano--shut your mouth

2009-11-27T10:59:00.000+08:00

Adel Tamano, a Muslim, should keep his mouth shut. If you don't have anything good or important to say, please brother just keep it to yourself.

The spokesperson of the Nacionalista Party says that the Ampatuans are "pious Muslims, followers of Islam". He just told reporters about it in one of his statements. A DZMM reporter broadcasted his statement just now.

Pious? Followers of Islam? Tamano is dreaming. True Muslims are slaves of Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'Alah. They follow what Allah told the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as written in the Noble Qu'ran and the Sunnah.

Is it the mark of a pious one to kill fellow Muslims, particularly women, children and men? The Noble Qu'ran does not describe those who do these things as pious but Mushrikuns. These warlords are violators of the very teachings of Islam and should be condemned by everyone who believes in Islam.

In Islam, killing is highly condemned. It is a sin against the whole universe. More despicable and more condemnable if you kill scores of innocent people not in the Name of Allah, but in the Name of dirty and satanic politics.

Tsk,tsk,tsk, Tamano, Tamano. Tama na no.

Narco-politics and Warlordism in Mindanao

2009-11-27T10:49:00.000+08:00

Aside from being the military stooge and dogs against Bangsamoro revolutionaries in Mindanao, the Ampatuans are also involved in narco-politics. Everyone knows that the Ampatuans and other warlords in Mindanao are engaged in the distribution of illegal drugs, especially methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu.

There is a confidential US State department report on narcopolitics in Mindanao. I will publish this later.

Ports and airports in Mindanao are used as transshipment points for illegal drugs.

Maguindanao Massacre: Inside Story

2009-11-27T10:44:00.001+08:00

The Ampatuans grew in strength because of Hello Garci and in the Name of Anti-Insurgency. And this is the undeniable Truth.

The Ampatuans overturned the 75-25 vote and just for Arroyo, made it 25-75. The Mangundadatus were worse than the Maguindanao warlord---they changed the vote just for Arroyo, making 85-15 to 15-85. Lintang Bedol was their link. And Garcillano along with some generals personally delivered two suit cases full of cash to the senior Ampatuan.

However, in politics, some are smarter than others. The Mangundadatus aligned themselves with Gibo while Ampatuan stayed with close associates of the First Gentleman and Gloria. Last August, both warring clans met high government officials, including Gibo. Gibo wants to change the Maguindanaoan political landscape by encouraging Mangundadatu to contest Ampatuan. The senior Ampatuan got angry.

Three months later, the Ampatuans led by Datu Unsay mayor Andal Ampatuan, the family hatchet man, staged the most gruesome, and the most barbaric act of the new century---57 killed and decapitated, including 24 innocent journalists. The world gasped and condemned the satanist act.

Government tried to calm the situation by asking the senior Ampatuan to surrender his son. When they felt that they are threatened, the self-proclaimed Sultan of Maguindanao relented and was forced to give his erring and mass murderer Andal Jr, to the authorities.

No negotiations? Tell it to the marines who saw those mangled bodies and bullet-riddled bodies of men, women and children. Malacanang is still being haunted by Hello Garci. The palace knows that the Ampatuans still keeps a record of how they cheated the elections in favor of Mrs. Arroyo. The Patriarch of the clan boasts that he has a suitcase full of pieces of evidence of the monumental electoral fraud in Asia.

Its only in the Philippines that you see a high-ranking government official accompanying a mass murderer. No where in the world do you ever see a senior adviser of a president with a serial killer in tow. That is the policy. That is the kind of government we have right now.

And look at that mass murderer, all smiling, inside a cage in the NBI. Will his victims get justice? Burn those CoCs first and definitely, you'll get an answer.

Meeting Ronnie Zamora and a glimpse of the life of a self-proclaimed Sultan of Maguindanao

2009-11-27T09:49:00.000+08:00

I just had the pleasure of meeting an extraordinary man yesterday, and it is no other than former Erap Executive secretary and now Minority floor leader Ronnie Zamora. Actually, the meeting was unexpected for me since I never anticipated this and it was never calendared. Yet, seems that God really finds a way for such mere mortals like me to converse with giants such as Zamora.

Zamora is a living repository of Philippine political history. You find Zamora's indelible mark of great genius from Marcos era to Arroyo's. If I am to write Philippine history, expect some great anecdotes from this guy who is a living witness of how politicos behave and is, himself, the architect of our present political life.

One of the things that fascinated me is his ever-expanding memory. He seems to remember every fine detail of his engagements with the Powers-That-Be, and knows every aspect of the political system like the back of his hand. I dare say that should the time comes when we all face the inevitability of re-imagining this system of ours, Zamora is one of the best consultants for its re-engineering. The rise and fall of regimes, I dare say, depends on how Zamora remembers the behaviors of critical actors in our times and he holds the key also on how to weaken and neutralize them.

And yes, Zamora's reputation as a trapo is evident before me. He is the consummate politician. He understands the dynamics of Philippine politics pretty well and even the nuances of New Technology and how it applies to present-day political acts that Zamora's ideas deserve a place in the New Society. Unfortunate though that like others whom I conversed with, Zamora seemed tired and already thinking of retirement instead of pushing on.

And pushing on, I think, he will. Zamora is now Manny Villar's Campaign Point man, the best man for the job. A campaign manager should be flexible, and Zamora is "It".

Two months ago, he narrates, Zamora was invited to a wedding which witnessed the formal "marriage" of Cong. Dilangalen's family and the Ampatuans. Zamora was invited as one of the principal sponsors for the wedding.

Zamora shares how he arrived in Maguindanao. He flew there with his private plane and arrived at the airport like royalty. The Ampatuans gave him their new car as his limousine and drove past hundreds even thousands of fully armed men posted in every corner.

When he arrived at the reception area, the place was crawling with political heavyweights and armed men. What surprised him though was every armed militia holds sophisticated weaponry, guns that the AFP do not have in its arsenal. Ampatuan's army is a modern one, equipped with state-of-the-art guns never seen before. Obviously, those were not the guns surrendered recently by the militia to the military, those old and unserviceable firearms that the AFP showed to the media just recently.

Anyway, Zamora felt like royalty before a self-proclaimed 'Sultan' of Maguindanao. The Ampatuans also felt like they own not just a province but a country. And they behaved like monarchs.

While listening to Zamora, I suddenly thought that the Ampatuans actually are prime models of how Mindanao would look like post-peace nego, when government hands over self-autonomy to them. If the peace process wins and power transfered from the national to the local politicians running the show there, imagine how many more Ampatuans would sprout there. It would be a disaster.

Mindanao would be embroiled in an endless political power struggle, with local warlords ranged against new and emerging powers. If the government gives the MILF the power to govern and police themselves, just imagine how many warlords and civilian militias they need to neutralize before they achieve normalcy. That would be total anarchy.

Hence, the liberation of Mindanao would not happen overnight. Even after a successful peace negotiations, Bangsamoros would really have to fight each other to achieve lasting peace.

Maguindanao Massacre Update: MANGUNDADATUS DISAPPOINTED OVER PALACE ACTIONS: ASK PNP TO ARREST THE GOVERNOR ANDAL AMPATUAN ALSO

2009-11-26T10:35:00.000+08:00

Buluan vice mayor Toto Mangundadatu is disappointed over the actions of Malacanang, saying that why is it that the palace is taking sooo long to arrest Datu Unsay Andal Ampatuan Junior and all the perpetuators of the massacre which resulted to the deaths of 57 people.

Reports indicate that the main perpetuators of the crime are now guarding the younger Ampatuan. Twenty members of the Ampatuan private army were arrested. Those who hacked and raped the twenty two women victims are now holed up inside the Ampatuan compound, armed to the teeth.

The United Nations has condemned the massacre as one of the most barbaric acts in this century.

Mangundadatu says that the police should also arrest the Senior Ampatuan due to evidence of the use of the backhoe. It is totally inconceivable, says Mangundadatu, that the criminals or animals who did the massacre were able to use the property of the provincial capitol without the expressed authority from the Maguindanao governor and the provincial engineer.

Andal Ampatuan Sr. is the Governor of Maguindanao and a close ally of Philippine president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Meanwhile, several Muslim groups have condemned the massacre and said that they don't consider the Ampatuans as Muslims.

EXCLUSIVE: ANDAL AMPATUAN JR TO BE ARRESTED AND TAKEN TO CAMP CRAME

2009-11-26T10:11:00.001+08:00

A police source, who requested anonymity, says that one of the possible scenarios being considered right now is for Datu Unday mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., son of Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan to be arrested inside the compound and to be sent immediately to Camp Crame.

Andal Jr. is to be immediately sent to Camp Crame for processing. This is one of the points negotiated between the Ampatuans and Jesus Dureza, presidential envoy.

Dureza is expected to take the 40 year old Andal Ampatuan Jr, into custody. Dureza is now in Maguindanao. (One source says one of the relatives of Andal Ampatuan thinks of holding Dureza hostage, which I think is unthinkable.)

Both the palace and the Ampatuans agreed that the younger Andal be subjected to investigation. No police or NBI agent was sent to the Ampatuans to serve the warrant of arrest.

Meanwhile, AFP spokesperson Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner Jr. said the military has taken over the Maguindanao capitol. Several towns in Maguindanao have also been subjected to military control.

Civilian cafgus or militias within the area have been disarmed.

Police have recovered 57 bodies, mostly mangled beyond recognition, in the shallow grave.

EXCLUSIVE:YOUNGER AMPATUAN WILL REFUSE ARREST

2009-11-26T09:40:00.001+08:00

EXCLUSIVE!

I just had a conversation with a relative of the Mangundadatu and several groups are being formed to attack the Ampatuan compound in Maguindanao.

The source, who requested anonymity, said that several relatives of the Mangundadatu clan in Lanao del Norte (Marawi City), Maguindanao, and Davao have met in an undisclosed place in Cotabato. The clan reportedly agreed to help the PNP in serving the warrant of arrest against the Ampatuans.

A warrant of arrest is being readied against Datu Unday mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. A crack team is being prepared as I write this to arrest Ampatuan Jr.

" Kung pumalag si Andal bro, magkasubukan kami. Diri man kami papayag na di makaisa dito ke Andal. Sobra ginawa nia kay Bai, bro." says my source, a Mangundadatu who is now in Mindanao.

Another source, this time, a Balik-Islam based in Maguindanao, said that the Ampatuans have beefed security over the compound. The compound reportedly has a cache full of arms and several bombs hidden in an underground room. The Ampatuans reportedly recruited young men who are also relatives to beef their security.

Andal Ampatuan Jr, the suspected mastermind behind the massacre, is reported to have fled to Sabah. However, a close check with the PNP in Maguindanao says, the younger Ampatuan is holed up in one of the houses inside the compound, and being guarded heavily by men very close to the elder Ampatuan.

Since Monday evening, several jeepneys were seen entering the compound, reportedly carrying food and boxes full of ammunition.

The men, reports say, vowed to die alongside Andal Jr. Andal Jr reportedly is being convinced to subject himself to investigation. Other relatives of the Ampatuans refused to turn Andal Jr over.

A clash is one of the scenarios being seriously considered by the PNP. If the Ampatuans resist arrest, the police may have to use lethal force to extricate Andal Jr. from his hole.

The source lives in Quezon City but has now enplaned to Mindanao to help his other relatives seek justice against the Ampatuans. Other Maranaos who are linked to the big Mangundadatu clan based in Lanao provinces are willing to help the PNP in Maguindanao.

Exclusive: Malakanyang inutile in resolving Ampatuan-Mangundadatu political rift

2009-11-26T09:20:00.001+08:00

Several meetings were held in Malakanyang austensibly to resolve the worsening rift between the warlord clan Ampatuan and the Mangundadatus in Maguindanao prior to the gruesome massacre but those meetings never amounted to anything.

These meetings, attended by former Defense secretary Gilbert Teodoro and several high-ranking officials of the administration party, Lakas-KAMPI NUCD, aimed to dissuade Buluan vice mayor Toto Mangundadatu from contesting the gubernatorial seat of Andal Ampatuan.

Mangundadatu was offered by the administration several government posts, including an ambassadorial post, a Cabinet-rank position or as administrator of government properties.

Mangundadatu rejected the offer of the administration.

It was also learned from various sources that Datu Unday mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. gave several death threats to Mangundadatu. Mangundadatu reported the matter to the ARMM Regional PNP director Paisal Umpa. Umpa reportedly rejected the plea for protection of Mangundadatu.

Three days before the massacre, the backhoe of the Provincial Government of Maguindanao was seen in the crime scene. Armed men, including UNIFORMED MEMBERS OF THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE (PNP) were already in the area prior to the massacre. Checkpoints were set up by the local police upon the direct orders from the Provincial government of Maguindanao.

It was also learned that a group of people, mostly members of Shariff Aguak town’s police force, cased the Mangundadatu house several hours before the Mangundadatu’s convoy went ahead to file the CoC.

Fifty seven cadavers, most of them mangled beyond recognition, were recovered from the shallow grave.

Andal Ampatuan's men arrested yet PNP refuses to name him the Mastermind behind the massacre

2009-11-26T08:49:00.000+08:00

Fresh from his victory as CNN Hero of the Year, Efren Penaflorida arrives home only to find the country he loves again embroiled in a very serious and very humiliating situation.

And to those whose generation rules this government right now, SHAME ON ALL OF YOU. YOU HAVE FAILED THE YOUNGER GENERATION WHO TRIES VERY HARD TO GIVE THIS COUNTRY SOME HONOR.

Fifty seven bodies were found so far, and several people, gunmen of Datu Unday mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., were arrested. PNP Chief Jesus Verzosa describes the suspects as members of Ampatuan's private army. And the PNP already identified Ampatuan Jr. as the primary suspect and mastermind of the most gruesome massacre in the new century.

Twenty two women dead, thirty plus men killed and decapitated and several bodies of journalists mangled beyond recognition.

And what's so revolting---THE PNP REFUSES TO CATEGORICALLY NAME ANDAL AMPATUAN JR. EVEN IF THERE IS OVERWHELMING EVIDENCE LINKING HIM TO THE BRUTAL, BARBARIC AND SADISTIC CRIME!!

Another Jesus, Jesus Dureza, the president's envoy, is set to accompany Andal Jr. to a police investigation. The question really is---will justice be served this time?

Will Andal Jr. really subject himself to public justice and face the music?

This massacre insults ALL OF US. It sends a very wrong message to the world---that we Filipinos are animals. That we do not respect human life. That we do not even respect ourselves.

Where, oh, where are the New Patriots of this New Generation who will correct these wrongs wrought against the Motherland by these shameless government?

Where, oh, where are the Idealistic Soldiers of the Filipino People who will save and transform this country from its dismal situation into a promising one?

Hello Garci, the Ampatuans and Gloria Arroyo

2009-11-25T08:50:00.000+08:00

Is Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo afraid of the Ampatuans because this warlord clan knows how former AFP chief of Staff Hermogenes Esperon Jr conducted the Mindanao leg of the Hello Garci operation? Sources in Mindanao say the administration election operators gave two (2) suitcases full of money to Datu Andal Ampatuan to launch a dagdag-bawas operation against the opposition.

In 2004, opposition presidentiable Fernando Poe Jr. got zero votes in Maguindanao. The Ampatuans delivered the votes to incumbent president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

And like Pontius Pilate, Malacanang wants to distance itself from the massacre.

Is this the reason behind the stupid and idiotic statement of presidential spokesperson LoreLIE Fajardo asking for sobriety and wanting to distance the palace from the incident? Fajardo probably was drunk when she said those words.

Malacanang wants to project the image of a Mrs. Arroyo deeply concerned with the massacre. Cerge Remonde and presidential political adviser Gabby Claudio revealed that Mrs. Arroyo reportedly made "emotional calls" of sympathy and support to the Mangundadatu family who lost most of their kin and sympathizers.

Fajardo said, the palace is not to be blamed for this massacre, which the UN already described as barbarism in the highest order.

Mrs. Arroyo, her hawks in the Cabinet, and her military generals are to be blamed for this massacre. Mrs. Arroyo tolerated the Ampatuans. Everybody knows how the Ampatuans grew in strength and in political influence due to their "close ties" with Mrs. Arroyo. Everyone knows that Mrs. Arroyo owes the Ampatuans an enormous political debt.

The AFP is responsible too. They tolerated and taken cared of warlords in Mindanao as a counter-force to the MILF and the MNLF. These warlords provide the militias.

Jesus Dureza, Mrs. Arroyo's point man in Mindanao, urge the public to remain calm and urge for sobriety. Dureza said that they are pushing for an "equilibrium of peace."

Mr. Dureza and Mrs. Arroyo---FOR THE PAST NINE YEARS THAT YOU GUYS ARE IN POWER, WHY DID YOU NOT DISMANTLE THESE PRIVATE ARMIES OF THESE WARLORD CLANS?

GOVERNMENT KNOWS THAT THE AMPATUANS MAINTAIN A HUGE PRIVATE ARMY WHICH THEY USE TO TERRORIZE THE MAGUINDANAOANS. FOR THE PAST 9 YEARS, GOVERNMENT TOLERATED THESE PRIVATE ARMIES.

Tatagalugin ko na ang damdamin ng taumbayan hinggil sa MASAKER na ito---GAGO ITONG GOBYERNONG ITO NA HANGGANG NGAYON WALANG DINADAMPOT NA SUSPEK NA RESPONSABLE SA INSIDENTENG ITO.

DIREKTA NANG ITINURO SI DATU ANDAL AMPATUAN JR BILANG MASTERMIND NG MASAKER AT NAGPUNTA NA SA BAHAY NG MGA AMPATUAN SI DUREZA PERO HANGGANG NGAYON, NI HINDI DINAMPOT ANG ANIMAL NA ITO.

Pax inside Malakanyang while Andal jr. massacres 46 in Maguindanao?

2009-11-25T08:16:00.000+08:00

A member of the Ampatuan family, believed to be Pax Ampatuan, was reportedly inside Malacanang while Datu Unday mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. was directing the gruesome massacre of 46 people in Sharif Aguak in Maguindanao.

How true? Malacanang should explain.

And we heard that last August, former defense secretary Gilbert Teodoro spearheaded talks between the Ampatuans and the Mangundadatus which resulted to nothing?

International groups, including the European Union (EU) has condemned the massacre, describing it as "barbaric" and has no place in a democracy.

Yesterday, Mrs. Arroyo declared a state of emergency in Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat and Cotabato .

"There is an urgent need to prevent and suppress the occurrence of several other incidents of lawless violence," Arroyo said in the proclamation, according to Remonde.

"The Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police are hereby ordered to undertake such measures as allowed by the constitution and by law to prevent and suppress all incidents of lawless violence in the aforesaid areas."

Surprising though that despite direct testimony from one of the victims a few minutes prior to the massacre that Mayor Ampatuan Jr. was there directing his armed men, government declared that there is still no "evidence" yet linking the Ampatuans to the monumental killing of the century. WTF!

And why government allows the mastermind of this massacre to go "scot-free" and even giving him time to "escape the full force of the law" IS REVOLTING to say the least.

Ted Failon, in his commentary, is right. If the perpetuator of this massacre of the century is just a nominal criminal or not an ally of Mrs. Arroyo, state forces would have pounced upon him with swiftness.
Jesus Dureza, the presidential peace adviser, talked with both clans. Dureza said both warring clans have vowed to respect the "rule of law."

The Philippine State should teach the Ampatuans a lesson they will never forget

2009-11-24T10:46:00.000+08:00

Filipinos, especially the government, should not only condemn the recent poll violence in Maguindanao but also make necessary actions and dismantle the Ampatuan private army and make them pay for their inhumane and barbaric acts.

This massacre, which led to the deaths of 36 people, including some of my journalist friends, is a direct affront to democracy. It only goes to show how feudalist our political system still is and it will continue if we Filipinos remain apathetic and our government fails to act on it.

Violence has no place in a democratic and modernizing society. The Ampatuans and the rest of these warlord clans should be taught a lesson. Let the entire strength and power of the State be unleashed against them. Let them know that the Government means business and is serious in promoting democracy instead of warlordism in the name of Trapo politics.

Philippine elections in jeopardy: 40 already killed in election-related violence

2009-11-23T19:59:00.000+08:00

Four days after the start of the filing of Certificates of Candidacy, more than 40 people have already been killed in all parts of the country, the most gruesome, the massacre of 36 people in Sharif Aguak town in Maguindanao. And Mrs. Arroyo's closest ally in Mindanao, Datu Andal Ampatuan, the governor of the province is being blamed for it.

Ampatuan was three-time mayor of Sharif Aguak town and governor of the province. ARMM governor Zaldy Ampatuan, Gloria Arroyo's closest ally in Mindanao, is his son. Other relatives dominate Maguindanao politics.

Ampatuan is a certified warlord, just like Idi Amin, the mastermind behind the massacre of whole towns in Uganda. Totally surprising why government allows such warlords to wreck havoc and promote violence in the province. Reason?

Government is using political warlordism as a counter-force against dissent and secessionist groups in Mindanao. Most political clans in Mindanao are also used in counter-insurgency operations. They provide militia and muscle to the military.

I would not be surprised if the Arroyo government treats this massacre as a PR problem.

Come to think of it, its a blessing that this massacre happens because the world now knows how the Ampatuans lord it over in Maguindanao. His son Zaldy controls ARMM while his other sons serve as mayors of other small towns in the province.

The Ampatuans is a political dynasty and should not be allowed to exert influence anymore in Mindanao politics. They should be destroyed.

If government fails in its mission, that of neutralizing or putting Datu Andal Ampatuan behind bars, it just shows how useless, stupid and totally weak this government really is.

This massacre is a direct affront to the government and to the entire Philippine Republic.

Datu Andal Ampatuan suspect in Maguindanao Massacre a close Arroyo ally

2009-11-23T19:40:00.000+08:00

You ask me who is the real terrorist in Mindanao and without batting an eyelash, i'll say its Datu Andal Ampatuan, the governor of Maguindanao. And it's totally surprising why our fellow Muslim brothers and sisters in Mindanao, especially those Bangsamoros who are fighting for a separate Islamic state allow this political goon to live.

The massacre of about 36 people in Sharik Aguak town in Maguindanao reminds us that the problem is NOT TERRORISM---its the proliferation of political syndicates led by such characters as the Ampatuans and the Pangandamans that contributes to the further enslavement of the Bangsamoro people to poverty.

These warlords should be eradicated from the face of the earth. They put the Name of Islam in bad repute. They should not be allowed to enslave their fellow Muslims in Maguindanao and other areas. It is the duty of a pious Muslim to kill those who do not follow the precepts of Islam and those who kill with impunity, their fellow Muslims.

Ampatuan is the real terrorist in Mindanao. He should be stopped and killed. Rido demands it.

This massacre reminds us of how Ugandan leader Idi Amin exterminated whole villages who oppose his rule. Ampatuan is like Idi Amin.

And it is the fault of the national government, particularly Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo because they have tolerated and taken cared of these characters for so long. This administration has cuddled them like head lice that these people have become bigger, stronger and more brazen. They don't fear anybody because they have strong links with the palace.

And I also blame the military. The Ampatuans and others like them grew in influence and power because they took care of them and use them in their counter-terrorism campaigns in Mindanao.

I challenge the national leadership, particularly the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)---will you allow this political goon to further destroy democracy in Mindanao? Will you allow the Ampatuans to just get away with mass murder?

This massacre is another test on how strong the political will of this administration is. If the Ampatuans get away with this without a scratch, then, government is totally useless.

Mindanao needs a civil war to correct the decades of injustice wrought by these political clans. Let the war begin.

The Senators of the People

2009-11-23T08:39:00.001+08:00

General Danny Lim, one of those who deserve to be elected for the Senate, is filing his Certificate of Candidacy on November 27. The good general is running under the Liberal Party AS A GUEST CANDIDATE, contrary to earlier reports that he was asked by the United Opposition to bolster their senatorial slate.

In the last survey, Lim was not in the Magic 12. It means that Lim should work harder. That was the situation that Antonio Trillianes found himself in during the 2007 elections. At the last stretch, Trillianes won.

Aside from Lim, I expect good friend Susan "Toots" Ople to file her CoC. She will do so on November 30, the birthday of our national hero and the only representative of the proletariat, Andres Bonifacio.

Ople is the only one with a Labor agenda. She has been working for the interests of the OFWs and locally-based laborers and workers for the past decades. We hope she will continue her advocacy at the Senate.

There are reports that Makabayan has severed their ties with the Nacionalista Party. Good. Satur Ocampo deserves a seat at the Senate. His entire life has been devoted to the Cause of the People. Same goes to Liza Masa who has worked hard to improve the condition of Filipinas and children in this country.

I had a chance to meet Teofisto Guingona III, also running under the Liberal Party and I must say that the scion of the last Filipino Nationalist also deserves to win. TG, as his friends call him, is quite intelligent.

TG deserves our vote.

Col. Ariel Querubin is also gunning for the senate. I don't know how serious he is in his candidacy but definitely, Querubin deserves our support and vote. I don't quite understand though why he is running under the Nacionalista Party.

My Senatorial Slate:

1. General Danilo Lim
2. Susan "Toots" Ople
3. Satur Ocampo
4. Liza Masa
5. Teofisto Guingona III
6. Col. Ariel Querubin

GN plot

2009-11-21T08:57:00.000+08:00

A dastardly plot to derail the 2010 elections is in the offing. A source, who requested anonymity, says that a clandestine group close to a certain high government official code named "gn" is planning to sabotage the delivery of 82,000 counting machines for the elections. The machines, which are now being manufactured in China, are expected to be in the Philippines in January of next year. The plan, says the source, is to force Comelec to declare a manual elections.

In parallel with this, a source also said that "GN" has set up a close advisory committee, a small group within his department, which task is to draft a plan for a possible take-over scenario. The plan has three phases:

1. Appointment of "DB" as transition "CS" while "VE" is to be asked to prepare for his ambassadorial post. DB would now declare a transitory government headed by no less than "Madame." Madame will oversee a "preparatory stage" (unclear to me) of two years.

2. Failure of elections is the aim of the committee.

Liberal Party is The New Lakas and the so-called Noynoy Mafia

2009-11-20T09:09:00.000+08:00

With most Lakas Kampi members joining them, it seems that the Liberal Party is really turning as the New Lakas. And I thought that Senator Noynoy Aquino III is for transformative politics.

When you're ahead of the game, you create a vacuum that sucks even the scums in. And I'm not referring to either Belmonte nor Recto.

I'm referring to so-called non-trapos turning into trapos as fast as they blink their eyes. I am not surprised one bit. Simply that I really don't expect these politicians to behave like they really meant what they say about service to the people.

These people dress like the people, talk like they're really honest and posture themselves like immaculate concepcions during or near elections. But, like I said before, they're all the same.

The Liberal Party is being destroyed from within by the very same elites that created it. A defector, former senator Serge Osmena III revealed that, this early, Noynoy Aquino is now a victim of this creature called syndicalism.

Noynoy's so-called "transformative politics" is being transformed into a veritable "syndicate" composed of the Cojuangcos, the Aquinos and even, surprising, the Black and White Movement. This early, layers have been created to insulate Noynoy from others who want to take part in this so-called "movement".

And to think that we had had enough of Kamaganak Incorporated.

Seriously, we are in deep shit.

We do not have qualified men to fulfill the task of really changing this country for the better. All of them, even Noynoy, are trapos. They tried to show people that they are transformative but in reality, they are as trapo as the true Lakas-Kampi CMD.

Rebolusyon na lang kaya tayo?

Oplan August Moon and the War of the Generals

2009-11-19T21:21:00.000+08:00

A silent war rages because the "top Kingmaker" is showing signs of giving herself up. And the class that adopted her fears for their careers.

PinoyObserver (http://pinoyobserver.com) wrote a very interesting piece about Oplan August Moon, the supposed plot by members of PMA Class 1978. The plot, says PinoyObserver is slowly unfolding, with the recent changes in the AFP leadership. And NPR sources say, the revamp also looms in the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Why is it significant for members of this Class to gain the upper hand against other PMA classes prior to June 2010? Simple. Their mistah, Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, will take her "brief vacation" as Chief Executive by then, and a new president would have been elected. Members of this class fears that a change of leadership would also undermine their chances of controlling the military establishment.

Former president Fidel V. Ramos earlier warned members of the class not to toy with the Fates and not undertake adventurism. Lt. General Detabali earlier spoke for and on behalf of Class 1978 and said that members of the class are "gentlemen" and would not break the chain of command.

And it seems that the plan or "plot" is not about a coup or an engagement against the prevailing order. It is actually a plan to engage members of rival classes, PMA Class 1979 and 1977 to a "leadership struggle."

AFP sources say PMA class 1977 and 1979 "hate the guts" of some members of PMA Class 1978. PMA Class 1977 members, who counts presidentiable Manny Villar as an honorary member, are being eased out slowly in favor of PMA Class 1978. Members of PMA Class 1979 are also being put in a "freezer", since some generals perceive the class as a threat.

Now, it would take just a couple of weeks for us to see if the power brokers do intend to take things seriously and put the entire military chain of command in total jeopardy. When that happens, how much would actually be at stake?

Brutality against Muslims in Baclaran sparks jihad

2009-11-19T19:16:00.000+08:00

The brutal way the police treated fellow Muslim brothers and sisters living around the mosque in Baclaran Paranaque showed really how Filipinos treat Maranaos, Maguindanaoans and Tausugs here in this country---as second or even third class citizens.

I would not be surprised if this incident would spark a jihad. And jihad it will be.

Long were the years the Muslims here suffered. Considered as the first religion in this country, the first inhabitants of these lands and islands embraced the True Religion without fear of death, nor of prosecution. These lands were freely distributed among Muslims. Our indigenous communities, the first Lumads, were Muslims.

It was only when an invading Religion, who preaches peace but kills those who oppose it, entered these pristine lands that the suffering of the Muslims began. Muslims were evicted from their homes, killed, brutalized and ravaged. A part of these lands and islands were given for them to tend, while those who profess allegiance to false gods raped and pillage these wealth given by the One True God.

Those who opposed foreign rule, foremost among them, Rajah Solaiman, went out on a warpath and killed the invaders. A brief moment of peace was achieved but it did not last.

Centuries of struggle mark the history of Islam in this country. It is a struggle defined by the Muslim's right to property, a right enshrined and recognized by the Noble Qu'ran. If your lands and your wives are being taken, says the Noble Qu'ran, you must fight. And fight, you must with all your might!

Fight the Mushrikuns with all your weapons and all your strength and strike them by decapitating their heads. That's the instruction by the One True God Himself, given through His Messenger Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Muslims can tolerate indifference or even racial segregation. What he cannot stand is segregation from his land.

The struggle of the Muslims will continue until all vestiges of foreign domination ceases to exist. And Rajah Solaiman's battle rages on with a new breed of fighters who stand before Allah Subhanahu Ta'Alah with all humility, fighting under the Banner of Islam.

How true? A Fernando-Escudero Tandem in the works?

2009-11-19T06:27:00.000+08:00

This may sound very foolish and for me quite incredulous but I need to write it. Last night, a flurry of messages circulated and some verified by veteran political operators in the field about Chiz Escudero. Escudero, as one of political organizer says, has aligned himself with no less than Bayani Fernando. Most, if not all, says that this will be Escudero's "shocking" announcement by next week.

Shocking is such an understatement. The apt words are "bizaare", "behest", "atrocious", "miserable", "traitorous", even "preposterous". I don't believe such news. First, Escudero is not a sucker. An alignment with the self-appointed Sheriff of Nottingham is a death wish. Fernando is the least among declared and salivating candidates worthy of an alignment.

Second, an alignment with ratings cellar dweller Fernando will pull Escudero down. Imagine, a self-declared violator of people's rights partnering with a supposed critic and defender of those rights.

Whoever thought of this stupid configuration is dreaming. Or probably, that guy already lost his mind.

Ang Ladlad's Medieval Resolution and Ferrer's Marginalization

2009-11-18T08:48:00.000+08:00

Comelec commissioner Nicodemus Ferrer, chair of the Comelec's second division, is a member of Binmaley's ageing population. The oldest among the present crop of election commissioners, Ferrer positions himself as a moral praetorian guard. Decide if Ferrer's defense on rejecting Ang Ladlad's petition for accreditation deserves our greatest praise:

Ferrer argued the decision has sufficient legal basis citing Revised Penal Code Article 201, which also calls immoral “those who shall publicly expound or proclaim doctrines openly contrary to public morals.”

“To be moral is not old-fashioned and to be modern does not mean that you are no longer moral,” Ferrer said in reaction to critics. http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=524151&publicationSubCategoryId=68

These kinds of stupid and foolish statements do not deserve a place in our country's election laws. Instead of citing the impossibility of declaring the homosexual community as a legitimate sector, Ferrer went beyond and instead, discussed Ang Ladlad's suitability as a "marginalized" and "under-represented" "sector.

Foolish. Very foolish indeed for a former judge to do that.

With this resolution, what Ferrer did was self-legislation, which is not within the purview of powers of the Comelec. Ferrer, in fact, gave Ang Ladlad enough ammunition to actually declare itself as a "sector". This determination lies in the territory of Congress, not Comelec.

I don't know if Ferrer read the law, but the terms "marginalized" and "underrepresented" describes the status of a sector, not a description of a sector. Sectors have already been described and stated under Section 5 of RA 7941, and the Comelec is not empowered to add or subtract anything stated in that law. What Comelec, as a quasi-judicial body, is empowered to do is interpret the intention of the law or the body that enacted it.

Instead of avoiding the "moral" or "ethical" dimensions of Ang Ladlad's petition, Ferrer, wittingly or unwittingly, decided to go that path, a foolish decision, if you ask me. Ferrer's decision in this case opens the possibility of other non-sectors now claiming "sector" status because, Ferrer directly considered Ang Ladlad a sector.

Tsk,tsk,tsk. Maybe Ferrer just wanted to assume the role of his namesake, the Famous leader of the Sanhedrin, Nicodemus who was sympathetic to Jesus Christ. Or, maybe the Commissioner wanted to become Saint Nicodemus, the Hagiorite, who edited the famous Philocalia, an anthology of spiritual writings. Instead of editing spiritual documents, Ferrer just edited an edict made by men.