MANILA - A “kanduli” ritual was conducted by relatives of some of the victims of Maguindanao massacre in Buluan town in Maguindanao to commemorate the seventh day of the death of the victims.

The ritual was conducted to pray for the peaceful rest of the souls of the victims of the massacre. At the same time however, relatives of the victims echoed their call for justice to be given to the victims of the massacre.

“Hangga’t wala tayong nakikita diyan na ang mga salarin na ito ay nahuli at managot sa krimen na ipinaparatang sa kanila, hindi po magiging banayad at maaliwalas an gating kalooban,” said Buluan Vice-Mayor Ismael Mangudadatu

Mangudadatu’s wife, 2 sisters and other relatives were supposed to file his certificate of candidacy (COC) for governor of Maguindanao province at the Commission on Elections office in Shariff Aguak for the May 2010 elections . His relatives, including members of media and lawyers who accompanied them, were however waylaid by an estimated 100 armed men. Their dead bodies were later found by Army soldiers.

Authorities have arrested Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., son of Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr.. the younger Ampatuan was tagged by authorities as the principal suspect in the massacre while authorities are still identifying others involved in what has been described as a heinous crime in the Philippines.

A large tarpaulin billboard with an image of the massacre site was installed in the town to remind the public of the gruesome killings and its victims. Printed on the billboard was "Justice for the (martyrs) victims in the Maguindanao massacre."

Meanwhile, Mangudadatu also asked authorities again if they recovered a recording device at the massacre site from one of the bodies of his relatives.

He said one of his sisters was able to bring the recording device when they proceeded to file his COC.

More firearms

Meanwhile Moro National Liberation Front founding chair Nur Misuari said he is worried that tension would intensify with the coming 2010 elections.

“The contending forces are armed to the teeth hanggang ngayon. Nadingig ko, mayroong na mga 300-400 arms nakuha, confiscated from the side of the Ampatuans. Eh lahat alam natin lahat ditto na he has 3,000 arms. Iyon, at iyong binigay nila iyon lamang mga obsolete armaments,” said Misuari.

One of the high-powered firearms seized by the Philippine Army was shown to ABS-CBN News – an expensive 5.56 mm Bushmaster rifle purportedly of Ampatuan Jr..

Col. Leo Cresente Ferrer, newly-designated Army 601st Brigade commander, said a soldier brought the firearm from a house of the Ampatuans in Davao City.

“Corporal Samuel Mora was designated as a detailed guard to Unsay sa residence niya sa bahay [in Davao[ for the purpose of securing his children who are studying there. After the incident, pumunta dito iyong sundalo, binigay iyong baril dito,” said Ferrer.

The Army believes that more high-powered guns are with the Ampatuans that should be turned over and inspected by authorities.

Meanwhile the visit by acting National Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales and Presidential Adviser on Mindanao Affairs Secretary Jesus Dureza to one of the wakes of the mediamen who were victims of the massacre became an eye-opener to the Palace officials.

The widow of Manila Bulletin reporter Ferdinand “Bong” Reblando asked the officials for justice and not for financial assistance.

“Secondary na lang po ‘yong financial, ang gusto ko po justice talaga. Kawawa po ang asawa ko Sir, nakita ko ang itsura niya Sir. Nakita ko itsura ng asawa ko kung gaano nila binaboy,” said a crying and angry Marlyn Reblando. From a report of Jorge Cariño. ABS-CBN News