MANILA – Despite the military’s takeover of the provincial capitol and two municipal halls in Maguindanao, there seems to be no alarm over the incident in the province.

It was business as usual for the people of Shariff Aguak Thursday morning, reported ABS-CBN News reporter Jorge Cariño.

A policeman was even laying on a hammock. He was either unaware or unafraid of the situation the military has conducted.

Cariño noted that such kind of military deployment is “quite normal” for the people of Maguindanao.

“Troop movement… is a normal scenery for the people of Central Mindanao even in Lanao del Sur and Cotabato.... [This is] nothing new for the people of Maguindanao,” he added.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner said the military took control of the provincial capitol of Maguindanao and the municipal buildings of Shariff Aguak and Ampatuan towns around 4:30 a.m.

This was done as authorities are gearing to take into custody Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan, Jr., a member of the Ampatuan political clan. He is suspected of leading an election-related massacre of 57 people.

According to Cariño, military sources told him that in case Ampatuan will not fulfill his promise of surrender, the troops will move to effect the arrest on him.

Not quite tense

The troops deployed in Maguindanao province were not in battle position and were just conducting normal operations.

Lt. Col. Jonathan Ponce, spokesman of the Army's Sixth Infantry Division, said that the deployment was done to make sure that the government facilities will be protected.

The military takeover was also done to provide adequate security so that the public can continue their transactions and businesses with the provincial and municipal governments.

Cariño reported that people were allowed to enter the provincial capitol. Even tricycles were permitted to enter the capitol compound.

The Maguindanao provincial capitol is located in Shariff Aguak. It is sandwiched between the houses of Andal Jr.’s father and brother: Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr., and Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan.

There is a military deployment in Ampatuan town and another in Shariff Aguak. “Not quite tense at all,” Cariño described the situation in Shariff Aguak.

Meanwhile, Cariño added that Buluan Vice-Mayor Ismael “Toto” Mangudadatu told him Wednesday night that he was planning to file his Certificate of Candidacy (CoC) Thursday morning. His convoy was supposed to leave Buluan for Sultan Kudarat at 8 a.m.

Mangudadatu’s wife, Jenalyn, and his two sisters were among those who were killed in the massacre Monday. 

Mangudadatu's wife, escorted by supporters and media members, was on her way to file a CoC for governor on behalf of her husband when they were stopped and massacred by 100 armed men in Barangay Saniag, Ampatuan town. At least 57 bodies have been recovered at the site of the killing.