Davao braces for 'war' spillover

DAVAO CITY , Philippines  – Residents here have expressed fear that the violence in Maguindanao that resulted in the gruesome killing last Monday of more than 40 people would spill over to this city since the families of the feuding Ampatuan and Mangudadatu clans have settled here.

Relatives of the Ampatuan patriarch, Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr., have established residence in     several posh subdivisions while with the Mangundadatus have also built houses in several high-end villages in this city.

Children of the Ampatuan and Mangudadatu families have been studying in leading schools in Davao for the past years.

The killing of 45 people, including the wife of Vice Mayor Ibrahim “Toto” Mangudadatu of Buluan, Maguindanao and two of his sisters, two female lawyers and 13 journalists who covered the supposed filing of certificate of candidacy has drawn widespread outrage.

The Mangudadatus have blamed the Ampatuans for the incident, specifically Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. of Datu Unsay, Maguindanao as one of the leaders of 100 armed men who kidnapped Mangudadatu’s supporters.

Residents in Davao fear that violence would escalate when the Mangudadatu clan retaliates and attacks the members of the Ampatuan clan to revive the rido or clan war.

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said that both the military-led Task Force Davao and the Davao City police were ordered to secure the city following the outbreak of violence in Maguindanao.

Duterte met with top military and police officials last Monday night and also appealed to the Ampatuans and Mangudadatus to spare the city from the violence in Maguindanao.

“I hope Davao City will be spared of the violence. We will extend the necessary assistance to both families,” he said, adding that he would not take sides or favor one over the other.

Duterte, who stressed that he does not know the dynamics of the politics in Maguindanao, said the two rival clans have already sought assistance from him for protection of the members of their respective families.

“We will protect both parties without favor. Ours is not to favor one over the other. We will stay neutral. We are not taking sides. Hindi tayo kasali sa away (We are not involved in their fight),” Duterte said.

He said no one in the two rival families would be molested, harmed or killed.

Duterte pointed out that in staying neutral, he will also make sure that the law is fully enforced and that the two warring factions should also ensure that they follow the law while in the city.

“My only option is to enforce the law. To enforce what is legal. My only standard is the law. If anyone of them starts any violence, then the law enforcers would be after you,” Duterte said.

The mayor explained that the two parties should follow the law and refrain from carrying high-powered firearms in the city. He said the security details of the two parties must make sure that they submit themselves to the checkpoints for the inspection of their firearms.

Meanwhile, police and military personnel were immediately deployed in Davao City late Monday evening following the directives of Duterte in the emergency meeting with top officials.

Ramon Edison Batacan, Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) immediate past governor for Eastern Mindanao, described the Maguindanao massacre as a dastardly act committed not only against the legal profession but also the entire humanity, especially since two of the victims were lady lawyers who were with the Mangudadatus.

“It reflects on the inability of government to enforce the laws in the area whose leaders are known supporters of the administration,” Batacan said.

Troops from the anti-terror group Task Force Davao were spotted in and around the multiple houses of the Ampatuans and Mangudadatus here in Davao City, conducting checkpoints in the streets surrounding these areas.

“After the meeting (Monday night), I talked to the families involved. I told them about the orders of Mayor Duterte,” Col. Oscar Lactao, Task Force Davao chief, said in an interview shortly before midnight Monday.

Although none of the patriarchs of the two families were present, Lactao was able to discuss the details of the orders of the mayor with the children and grandchildren of the Ampatuans. The Task Force Davao chief also talked to a member of the Mangudadatus at an undisclosed location.