EPCC NEWS

December 2, 2009

Los Angeles

KAISA Statement

November 25, 2009

Fight Violence against Women and Defenseless Civilians Dismantle Warlord Dynasties

Manila, Philippines--KAISA KA is enraged by the gruesome massacre in the boundary of Ampatuan and Shariff Aguak in Magindanao the other day that included more than 20 women among its victims. This is the first ever slaughter after Bud Bagsak and Bud Dajo massacres that killed this big number of women in just one day.

The killing of defenseless civilians in their numbers, some of them did not even belong to the party that filed an opposition certificate of candidacy, their speed in burying the dead using government backhoe with the name of the governor printed on it and the inability of the military to prevent this from happening show the barbarity of the perpetrators and immense power they have at their disposal.

Warlord rule by clan dynasties geared up by patronage politics is clearly the culprit.

Warlord power took a dramatic resurgence in Mindanao during the the Arroyo administration especially because it depended strongly on the support and operations of warlords who delivered the needed votes in the elections and provided refuge to COMELEC officials who were put to question. Moreover, these landlords facilitated Arroyo's hosting of US troops that now permanently base and engage in unconventional warfare in Mindanao.

The clan holding the reins of government in the province of Maguindanao has placed its members in key positions in the province and in almost all the towns by using violence against the people. It has illegally amassed weapons enough to arm a division of goons that the Arroyo administration tolerated.

And two days after the massacre, the Arroyo government still refuses to even invite the chief Maguindanao warlord for questioning, imploring due process for them.

KAISA KA condemns the massacre and demands justice for the victims! It challenges the Arroyo administration file a case and arrest the chief suspects in the Maguindanao carnage.

KAISA KA holds the Arroyo administration responsible for allowing warlords arms build-up.

KAISA KA calls for the dismantling of warlord dynasties along with its demand for foreign troops to leave.

*********