Puno given more powers to run after massacre suspects
MANILA - President Arroyo on Friday gave Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Ronaldo Puno blanket authority to relieve local officials in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao in connection with the DILG's investigation of the Maguindanao massacre.
Puno said Administrative Order (AO) 273 vested the DILG with supervisory powers over the autonomous region, which include the relief and suspension of elected officials in the ARMM.
"There is only one relevant power that I can see insofar as this AO is the case and that is to suspend the regional governor, and if the DILG wishes to assume the authority of the president in the case of lower agencies and local government, that as well," he told ANC.
The DILG chief said the order gives the department power to remove anyone that could hinder the government's investigation into the massacre.
"If somebody is covering up evidence or, for example, the equipment that was used in this particular attempt to cover up the 57 murders...We now have the capabilty to open up records or call the person in charge of that specific area without having to go through non-administrative measures," he said.
Puno said any investigation usually needs the cooperation of the elected officials where the crime took place. He added, however, that the Maguindanao massacre is unique in that elected officials, including police and military men assigned to the area, are being implicated in the crime.
"Normally, we would let the [ARMM] governor do this but since he is the brother, there may be a problem here," he noted.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) is currently investigating Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. for allegedly leading 100 men in the massacre of 57 people in Ampatuan, Maguindanao last Monday. Ampatuan is the brother of ARMM Governor Zaldy Ampatuan.
Puno earlier said the DOJ will also investigate other members of the Ampatuan clan for possible complicity in the murders.
"We have to address this crime very, very forcefully...That is not the end of the investigation until we find and bring to justice all of those who in one way or the other involved in the conduct in this heinous crime," he said.
Puno said the DILG will be issuing its recommendation on possible suspension of local officials very soon. He added that other actions needed for a full investigation include removal of police officers "who are either suspect or partisan" to officials accused of the crime, and the deployment of more policemen in the area.
The DILG chief, meanwhile, said the AO does not give authority to reshuffle police or military officials assigned to the area.
He added, however, that the Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines have already ordered the relief of local military commanders, while some local police officials have already been placed under restrictive custody while undergoing investigation.
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Massacre
Justice must be served to those victims...we the Filipino people strongly request to conduct all means of search in the ampatuans clan mansions and its perimeter "halughugin buong mga mansions at bakuran" to find those weapons use in the crime scene...It is very possible that all weapons used in the massacre were kept to prevent ballistic test since the massacre was done last monday and dis-arming of involve personnel’s was done last Wednesday..., so the said dis-arming activity were too late actually and that more than 30 hours span time before dis-arming was too much enough time for the murderers to kept safe those weapons used....Investigators holding the case,please dont be blind and have all ampatuans mansions and perimeters be search to get all evidence....Pity those families of victims crying for the justice...The whole nation is watching our country every day, every time...Government, prove your worth that law is really working in our country to bring back the trust and confidence of other countries specially us (the filipino people)...This issue ha a great impact in our economy today and in the future…..And too Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan,this is just a beginning that your clan's evil works will be ended...crimes does not pay...we the filipino people is praying to end all your evil works in your own place....better surrender all and stop denying...thank you...
More Power To Do Nothing!!
Anong silbi niyang power kung yung tao ay wala namang ginagawa kundi dumaldal lamang sa media sa halip na maghanap ng mga ebidensiya at testigo? Itong suspek nakatagong mabuti sa loob ng NBI at alagang alaga ng mga tuta ni Pandak. Lumalabas na itong power ni Puno ay nakalaan para dun sa mga pagkakataong nabubuking na itong si Unsay, gagamitin niya itong power para walang makagalaw dito sa alaga ng kanyang amo.
Ang dapat gawin ni Puno diyan, alisin ang lahat ng balakid upang matagpuan ang mga ginamit na sandata sa massacre at ganundin kolektahin na ang mga pahayag ng mga testigo at ilagay sila at ang kanilang mga pamilya sa witness protection program.
Do it right this time, Mr.
Do it right this time, Mr. Secretary.