MANILA – The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Tuesday called for the disarmament of private armies in Maguindanao following the massacre of 30 people on Monday.

Describing the incident as one of the gravest human rights violations ever committed in the country, CHR Chairwoman Leila de Lima said the commission will be conducting its own investigation on the incident.

“This is really a tragedy, a gruesome thing. We are supporting the call for the immediate disarming of groups, all armed groups in the area, to avert further violence," de Lima told radio dzMM.

"It’s a bestial act of the highest order," she added.

Government troops recovered the bodies of at least 30 kidnap victims, including the wife and relatives of Buluan town's vice mayor Ismael Mangudadatu, in Ampatuan town Monday afternoon.

The massacre has been attributed to Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan as a result of the clan war between the Ampatuans and Mangudadatus.

The CHR chairperson said she is certain that the international community is closely monitoring the Maguindanao incident.

“It will place the Philippines on the map for the highest record, statistics of media killings and extralegal killings. This is definitely under the category of extra legal or extrajudicial killings,” she went on.

Possible whitewash

De Lima added that the CHR will act as an independent monitor in the investigation. "Well their main concern, I’m just quoting them [Mangudadatus], is the possible whitewash of the investigation given the sphere of influence doon sa mga suspected na may kagagawan niyan," she said.

The human rights chief said the main suspects in the massacre have long been considered as "untouchable" by local law enforcement because of their close ties with the ruling administration.

"Somehow the national authorities, those who get elected, become politically indebted to them because we cannot deny that Maguindanao is one of the areas where traditionally there is fabrication or massive fabrication or manufacture of votes. They deliver the votes for certain candidates and...they feel and act [like] they're beyond or they're above the law,” noted de Lima.

Sphere of influence

She even shared her experience as an election lawyer who dealt with cases filed against the Ampatuans. “I know their reputation. I know their mentality na they are the gods there. So hindi ho pwede na hayaan na lang na ganiyan ang kultura, ganiyan ang environment in that province. It's the primary responsibility of the national authorities to do something about that.”

She, however, lamented that law enforcers such as the military and police force are also influenced by the Ampatuans.

The CHR chairperson cited the need for national authorities to take part in the investigation. She said the CHR team that will be sent to Maguindanao will come from the central office.

She believes that teams from the AFP, PNP and National Bureau of Investigation should also come from the national level.

“I don’t think we can really rely on the local people [given the] takot, influence, pressure, the power. Nandun po lahat.”

Apathy

De Lima also disclosed a report from the CHR sub-office in Maguindanao which stated that the place where the massacre took place was near a detachment. In addition, the group that hijacked the convoy reportedly passed by a detachment.

“So anong ginagawa ngayon ng military doon? Alam nila, nakita nila na may tinangay na mga inosente na mga sibilyan ang isang grupo. Although the report says these are 100 armed men. Maybe these were too overwhelming for them.”

She went on: “So there is a breakdown of security, of law and order in Maguindanao. It’s time for the national authorities to decisively act on that... ‘Di puwedeng ganiyan nalang.”

She also revealed that the CHR regional office has been tracking cases of gruesome killings for the past few years.

“It's actually just a rumor but mukhang may basehan yung mga tinatawag na chainsaw murders or victims being buried alive at ang mga may kagagawan, ganun din daw po, yung mga malalakas diyan, mga powerful people diyan,” she stated.

“But no one dares to expose, no one dares to investigate. Even our own regional people, siyempre yun naman po di niyo naman po sila ma-be-blame na takot din sila na magsagawa ng lantaran na imbestigasyon.”

De Lima hopes such vicious cycle in Maguindanao will come to an end. “I think everyone has a share in the kind of environment. We're having apathy... Kaya nagkakaron ng apathy, iniisip na wala na naman ulit mangyayari, wala na namang mapaparusahan.”

While the CHR has pledged its commitment to the Maguindanao massacre investigation, de Lima pointed out that it is the primary responsibility of national authorities to investigate on the matter “beginning with the executive department.”