Notes On Dilg Press Conference On Ampatuan Massacre

Press conference on Maguindanao massacre 26 November 2009, Camp Crame As aired on ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC) Caveat: These are personal notes, not an official transcript of the proceedings. No guarantee regarding accuracy or completeness is being made.

Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Ronaldo Puno 

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I know that many have been anxious about developments relative to the massacre. We have been doing a lot of things since Monday. I apologize to the members of the media for not being very open about the details of the things that we’ve been doing because the tasks that needed to be done needed discretion because it was a very sensitive situation. Ampatuan Jr. is on his way to General Santos, taken from the provincial capitol grounds, where he will be received by Devanadera, who together with many witnesses, will be flying to Manila. Probably an inquest to be conducted by the DOJ. As we speak, the four police officers who were on the scene were arrested. These officers have been under restrictive custody, or really, arrest, since the evening of the massacre. When we met the Secretary of Defense on the 23rd, we decided to organize a Crisis Management Committee aside from the local one. We thought it was important that someone from outside the area head the committee, so this is how Dureza came in. We attached to him the area commander of the AFP, Ferrer and PNP Felisanto Serapio. It took a little bit of time for new forces to be inserted into the area. The dismantling of four special armed civilian groups at the quickest possible time. In summary: 3 general areas that needed to be addressed: physical control; honest-to-goodness investigation that will yield court-ready evidence; coordination of public information, i.e., keep public informed but keep sensitive information confidential. Third stage: Securing 3 general areas: the capitol building of Maguindanao, plus 2 municipal halls (access has been restricted since last night care of the PNP and the AFP) All LGUs in Maguindanao have been stripped of operational supervision over PNP. General direction: Removal and transfer of all police Inquest will be held at Camp Crame. Custody of all suspects at Camp Crame. All statements of witnesses have been taken. I’m sorry we were not at liberty to explain the details of all of this. We assure everyone that the province of Maguindanao is under the rule of law. Those responsible will be held to account regardless of who they are. No appeasement or negotiation. If Datu Unsay Ampatuan would not have boarded the helicopter to bring him to General Santos, the AFP and the PNP were prepared to take all action and exert all physical force to make sure that the suspects were brought to the inquest. As we know, Maguindanao is in an abnormal situation. On the one hand, we have to address this crime very forcefully. In addressing this crime, we didn’t want to lose control of the area and the armed people in the area. This has been very judiciously brought about. While you are seeing suspects being brought to Manila, that is not the end of the investigation. This heinous crime is not something that your officials will not accept. I ask for your forbearance on the earlier reports. We have all been bound by the exigencies of the work that we needed to do so that we can report the positive developments we are reporting to you now. Some of them we will be free to talk about, others will be of more sensitive character. We ask for your forbearance.

Philippine National Police (PNP) Dir. Gen. Jesus Versoza

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Press conference on Maguindanao massacre 26 November 2009, Camp Crame As aired on ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC) Caveat: These are personal notes, not an official transcript of the proceedings. No guarantee regarding accuracy or completeness is being made.

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In line with Presidential Proclamation 1946 (State of Emergency). As part of the law enforcement operation, police and military security forces launched simultaneous operations at 4AM today. The objective of this operation to ensure unhampered government functions and protect government assets. These actions are in pursuance of expanded investigation. All AFP and PNP will remain in the area to protect government installations and prevent lawless violence. I have replaced the Provincial Director of Maguindanao. Disarmament of paramilitary forces. Secured Maguindanao Capitol Building/Ampatuan and Shariff Aguak municipal halls. 2 armored vehicles were recovered a few hours ago around the vicinity of the government premises of the capitol of Maguindanao. Effective today: all licenses to bear firearms are suspended indefinitely. Recommended: Suspension of deputation of all police units in Maguindanao; Limit to two close-in security personnel per personality and should always be in uniform.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Vice Chief of Staff of Lt. Gen. Maclang     

What we did this morning was not the first overt act of the AFP. Since day one, we established checkpoints, moved some units to critical areas (in coordination with PNP), we added more troops. Right now, we have caused the return of 46 IB yesterday. Today, we have completed the deactivation of four special CAA companies, composed of 347 personnel with firearms. We are prepared to move more forces. We are in the process of completing the inventory and recall of all other AFP personnel who are assigned with the Maguindanao government.

Puno 

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When this incident happened, some people in the party were able to call and tell others what was going on. Within 30 minutes, AFP had deployed. Within 1 hour, AFP had arrived at area, which is why burying of bodies/vehicles was not completed. To the credit of the AFP, they had a quick response which allowed us to find the evidence. A helicopter had to go around and locate the vehicles and that is when the AFP found the massacre area. ***

Q&A with Media Representatives Sandra Aguinaldo: Ano pa ang ibang action na ginagawa ng DILG re other members of Amaptuan family who hold key positions? Puno: DILG has no jurisdiction over LGUs. Request to investigate the provincial government of Maguindanao. Immediate preventive suspension recommended. Vacant positions will be filled by appointees.

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Press conference on Maguindanao massacre 26 November 2009, Camp Crame As aired on ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC) Caveat: These are personal notes, not an official transcript of the proceedings. No guarantee regarding accuracy or completeness is being made.

Sharmaine Deogracias: Re Verzosa on police investigation stage. Categorically Datu Unsay a suspect since you’ve taken depositions? How many suspects? Puno: It is hard for you to rely on local PNP/AFP. Why? To follow up Sandra: Is it SOP to ask president to investigate? Puno: OP has authority over ARMM. DILG asking for authority from OP to investigate. The reason we were careful about relying on local forces is that the local government code requires any provincial director/chief of police must be covered of consent of local officials concerned. Local CEO has to approve DILG-appointed chiefs (1 out of 3 names). Versoza: Investigation does not commence only after statements are taken, but when the first forces arrive on the scene. Lots of reports/witnesses being investigated. Intelligence personnel conducting investigation. Datu Unsay is a suspect. Puno: We cannot go into all the details of the testimonies we have gotten, but the PNP has placed 6 individuals under administrative relief; 4 of them are being brought to Manila today for the inquest. Verzosa: SCAA/CVO participation being investigated. Unidentified Media Representative: How many more bodies do you expect tofind? Puno: We are now at 57. We think that’s pretty close to the actual number massacred. People’s Journal: General Umpa as ARMM director was relieved on what grounds? Versoza: We don’t want anyone doubting our investigation. Historical backgrounder on possible motive required. OIC is Senior Superintendent Bienvenido [?] Manila Bulletin: I don’t intend to offend the leadership of AFP/PNP, but… Earlier you claimed normalcy. Bakit po ba nangyari na ang armed paramilitary units ang siyang nagamit at sila ang talagang suspect, kung effectively controlled ng PNP and AFP ang mga armed military units? Puno: Different laws relative to ARMM. It wasn’t under control three, four days ago. What happened was a total misuse of power, plus complicity. I myself am not in favor of LGU choosing chief of police/provincial director. We are considering making a request to Congress to amend that law. What we intend to do prior to election is to identify areas where police have become so close to local officials. The authority ng ARMM mas malakas. Structurally there is a problem there. Personally there are many problems there. Nakalimutan ng pulis na kailangan ipagtanggol ang Republika ng Pilipinas, hindi ‘yung mga ninong nila doon. Bulletin: That is an admission that there was complacency and neglect on the part of the central government to monitor local government. Puno: When there is a local official with criminal intent, he should not be given legal institutions to help foster that agenda. That requires some degree of review. Philippine Star: [Inaudible]

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Press conference on Maguindanao massacre 26 November 2009, Camp Crame As aired on ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC) Caveat: These are personal notes, not an official transcript of the proceedings. No guarantee regarding accuracy or completeness is being made.

Puno: Several degrees. Suspects being brought here today, some police officers, etc. There also members of the SCAA (347) undergoing review and investigation. All members of Ampatuan police station (20 or so) are undergoing investigation. Star: Mayor Ampatuan is a primary suspect? Puno: We shouldn’t categorize. Let’s wait for the inquest. Star: Is it wise for Teodoro to expel Ampatuans? Puno: Teodoro’s act an act of outrage. It is meant to tell everyone that they do not accept and condemn the crime that was committed. It is a personal expression of justified outrage. Verzosa: Those in custody are not necessarily suspects. Persons in custody include: Datu Unsay, police officers, SCAA, CVO, and other persons.

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