638 more persons charged with rebellion

MANILA, Philippines – Police charged with rebellion before the Department of Justice yesterday five members of the Ampatuan clan and 633 others.

Charged were Rajah Buayan Mayor Yacob Ampatuan, Mamasapano Mayor Banarin Ampatuan, Datu Ulo Ampatuan, Datu Ipi Ampatuan, Datu Kanor Ampatuan, Sultansa Vice Mayor Sukarno Badal, Barira town Mayor Alexander Tumawis, Datu Undin Mayor Ombra Sinsuat, Parang Mayor Abu Talib and provincial administrator Nurie Unas.

Senior Superintendent Benito Estipona, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group deputy director for operations, said 17 served as “sub-leaders” of the rebellion, while 611 were their followers.

“Investigation disclosed that on Nov. 28, 2009, the Ampatuan elders led by former governor Datu Andal Ampatuan Sr. and ARMM Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan gathered their political allies and supporters at their palace residence in Shariff Aguak and declared that in response to their impending arrest by the forces of the national government, they would resist and fight back,” he said.

All 638 people remain at large as of yesterday afternoon, he added.

Police said three witnesses confirmed the leaders’ declarations and orders for their allies and supporters and hundreds of armed civilian volunteers to rebel against the government and repel military and police forces.

At least seven witnesses, including four police officials in the province have been submitted to prosecutors, police added. Photographs of rallies of supporters of Ampatuans, numerous recovered firearms and ammunition, and members of the Ampatuan clan and allies showing off sophisticated high-powered firearms were also submitted as evidence, police said.

Last Dec. 9, the DOJ charged with rebellion the Ampatuan patriarch, former governor Andal Ampatuan Sr. and 23 others, including Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, and his two other sons Sajid Islam (acting Maguindanao governor), and Anwar (mayor of Shariff Aguak), before the Cotabato City regional trial court.

Police searching for murder weapon

Police are looking for a light machinegun allegedly used by Mayor Datu Andal Ampatuan Jr. in mowing down the 57 victims of the Maguindanao massacre.

Director Raul Castañeda of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group said they aim to establish an airtight case against the massacre suspects.

Castañeda said investigators have established the individual participation of each of the key suspects in the massacre.

A total of 187 suspects have been identified and that 25 of them are under custody, he added.

The Supreme Court is set to discuss the seven consolidated petitions questioning the martial law proclamation today.

One of the petitioners, the group of former Senate president Jovito Salonga and lawyer Harry Roque Jr. asked the SC to set oral arguments.

“There was a grave violation of the Constitution by respondent (President) Macapagal-Arroyo when she placed the province of Maguindanao under martial law, despite the total absence of an invasion nor of a rebellion, the two exclusive grounds on which such proclamation may only be called for,” read the petition. – With Cecille Suerte Felipe