The Human Rights Watch report on the Ampatuans
By TheAdvocate
@TheAdvocate (2392)
Philippines
November 21, 2010 6:13pm CST
There is a summary of the report of Human Rights Watch entitled "They Own the People: The Ampatuans and Killings in the Southern Philippines" in the Inquirer. The report details the rise to power of the Ampatuans, the atrocities they have committed and how the Arroyo government was complicit in this. Even though the Ampatuans have been exposed to the entire world, their influence can still be felt in the province. Read it and puke.
2 responses
@aerous (13434)
• Philippines
22 Nov 10
What do you want to emphasize here, friend. I know that ampatuan still have the influenced because they have more money. There money will likely the thing which moves people in their behalf to implicate terror for those relatives of the victims.
I know for sure that Ampatuan's is still many victims not only those killed which is shown in Television...
@TheAdvocate (2392)
• Philippines
23 Nov 10
I guess I wanted to highlight the fact that GMA has more to answer for. If it were not for her greed, for her unquenchable lust for power, the Ampatuans would not have come into power. But I am of course being naive. The rise of the Ampatuans or another family would have still been possible without GMA because of the volatile situation in Mindanao further aggravated by their abject poverty. I also want to emphasize, than more than bringing the Ampatuans down, PNoy should be serious in dissolving all these private armies.
You're right, there are other victims other than the 57 people massacred. In fact, the report I mentioned gave several other murders/massacres that they committed but were never prosecuted.
@aerous (13434)
• Philippines
24 Nov 10
They are done even before the massacre happen in that place, friend. You right we can blame the previous government of Mrs. Arroyo about this things. He should also responsible for how she handle the situation when she is in power and even her cabinet because they are the one who suggested or report to Mrs. Arroyo then...
We hope that Pnoy is serious about dissolving private armies. But he is not success to do things without the cooperation of the police and the military...
sometimes Police and Military cover up those Politicians have private armies...
@marapplestiffy (2182)
• Philippines
23 Nov 10
This issue should have been resolved, the criminals punished and not treated with clemency...this is the reason why I personally have no faith in our legal system here in Philippines. The rich just go unpunished! I get furious thinking about this, my friends and I really talk about this issue, and always stop ourselves for we have no power whatsoever to influence the result. It just makes me so indignant that women were raped savagely and brutally killed, those who did it have mothers if not sisters, and its just plain sick...but there's a little solace in the thought that they are merely mortal and would soon have to face God and pay for all their sins...
@TheAdvocate (2392)
• Philippines
25 Nov 10
That's true, I also get frustrated a lot especially when I am following the Ampatuan trial. I take comfort in the fact that the likes of Hubert Webb, Jalosjos were jailed and paid for their crimes regardless of their money. Of course, money made their lives easier inside. But going back to the Ampatuans, I agree that it is comforting to know that there is a God whom they will have to answer to when they die. I especially dislike the smirk on Andal Ampatuan Jr.'s face.
