(UPDATE) 'War materials' seized in Ampatuan Sr's warehouse: military

Posted at 12/05/2009 5:12 PM | Updated as of 12/05/2009 10:01 PM

MANILA - Troops on Saturday afternoon recovered more firearms and thousands of ammunition from a warehouse near the provincial jail in Shariff Aguak town in Maguindanao, allegedly owned by Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr.

Lt. Col. Randolph Cabangbang, spokesman of the Armed Forces' Eastern Mindanao Command, said the search started around 3:15 a.m., several hours after President Arroyo imposed martial law in Maguindanao.

Cabangbang said the items recovered from the warehouse include a military Humvee vehicle, an improvised armored vehicle and "several high end civilian vehicles."

He said a truck loaded with 330 boxes of 5.56mm M4 carbine ammunition marked Armscor, with each box containing 1,000 rounds of ammunition.

The military spokesman added that troops also recovered from the back of the warehouse 3 Elisco M16 rifles and 3 bandoleers.

An earlier ABS-CBN News report said one of the items recovered from the warehouse was an armored truck marked "PULISYA." The report added that troops also found several expired permits to carry firearms registered under the name of a certain Datu Zahid Ampatuan.

On Friday, joint police and military teams finished excavation at a vacant lot near the house of Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan in Shariff Aguak.

Authorities said the war materials recovered from the vacant lot can supply a brigade-size unit of the military. Some of the ammunition recovered have markings which indicate that they were from the government arsenal.

Police believe some of the war materials seized were used in the massacre of 57 people in Ampatuan town last November 23. They said the war materials were buried at the vacant lot two days after the massacre, based on information from a resident in the area.

The raid at the warehouse was part of the security forces' warrantless searches and arrests being conducted by virtue of President Arroyo's Proclamation 1959, declaring martial law and suspending the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in Maguindanao.

Top government officials said the massing of forces and an uncovered rebellion plot to prevent the arrest of the Ampatuans prompted the President to place the province under a state of martial law.

The military has taken full control of the province, including the capitol compound and all municipal buildings.

Police have said that eight people, including the patriarch of the Ampatuan clan, Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr., have been arrested since martial law was imposed in the province.

The other Ampatuan clan members arrested were the ARMM governor, Maguindanao Vice-Governor Akmad Ampatuan Sr., Shariff Aguak Mayor Anwar Ampatuan; Cahoner Ampatuan, a Sangguniang Bayan member of Shariff Aguak and acting Governor Sajid Ampatuan.

The other local officials arrested were Paisal Sulaik, a Sangguniang Member of Shariff Aguak; Keise Usman, regional secretary of agriculture and of the ARMM; and Kabuntalan Emblawa, regional environment secretary of the ARMM.

A total of seven Ampatuans have been arrested, including another son of the Maguindanao governor, Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., who has been charged with 25 counts of murder for the massacre.

Ampatuan Jr. is currently detained at the National Bureau of Investigation headquarters in Manila. Ampatuan Sr. and Zaldy have been brought to Davao City and General City, respectively.

Police said the armed bodyguards of the local officials have been disarmed and also arrested.

Reports said some of the people arrested were brought to a military camp in Barangay Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat town. With reports from Adrian Ayalin, ABS-CBN News, and Noel Alamar, dzMM


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17 comments

Conspiracy, conspiracy, where are thee

5

Eto, ang sagot ko sa mga kabobohang conspiracy na umiikot sa utak ng mga naive na pinoy.

Conspiracy no. 1: Baka daw hindi mapatawan ng nararapat na murder charge ang mga Ampatuan dahil sa rebelyon.

Sagot: Unang una palang, napatawan na ng 25 murder charges si Andal Amptuan, the main suspect and also those directly involved in the carnage. The rebellion was charged against the REMAINING Ampatuans who are still in power in Maguindanao, who refused to cooperate and were still not in the custody of the military. So imposimble na walang managot sa murder.

Conspiracy no. 2: Baka daw gawin paraan ni Presidente ang Martial Law para ma extend ang kanyang termino.

Sagot: Naku naman! Mag-isip po tayo! Ay BOBO! Nakakinis sa kabobohan. Naka dalawang people's power na tayo. Alam na ng lahat na kayang-kaya nating mga Pinoy na paalisin ang sino mang diktador sa susunod sa yapak ni Marcos mas mabilis pa sa speed of light. Walang politiko, kahit si GMA man yan, ang magkakalakas ng loob na gumawa nito dahil ito ay siguradong political suicide.

In conclusion, walang katutuhanan ang mga conspiracy na yan. 100% akong sigurado, itaga ninyo sa bato. Chismis lang yan pare ko. The Martial law was imposed to stop the rebellion, to hasten the charges against the Amptuans, and to ensure public safety in Maguindanao. Wala na tayong dapat isipin pa. Ang magagawa natin ngayon ay siguraduhing ginagamit sa maayos na paraan ang Martial law bago tayo mag husga.


Gold Bars

The Military have a very good progress with extracting and exposing Ampatuan's Arsenal! But beware soldiers as long as the government will not find the hidden gold bars which where purchased using the peoples money, the Ampatuan clans will use this to fund their future retaliation against the government and the civilians! You have to find those gold bars too!!!

You want sample? put into account how much jewelries the Sr. wears at home or at an official trip. Would believe it is at the minimum price of P5,000,000.00 that is FIVE MILLION PESOS!!! Read my lips GOLD BARS!!! LOOK FOR IT SOLDIERS FIND IT!!!


Martial Law

So, Tigre Woods after several years of Martial Law under Marcos ay disiplinado na ang mga Pinoy? Where are we now? Gusto mo buong Pilipinas ilagay sa Martial Law? Ako, I was a student, lived in Urban area and participated in several rallies during Martial Law. Ayokong maranasan ninuman ang epekto ng Martial Law at kung hindi mo pa nararanasan ay subukan mo sa sarili mo by staying home after 10PM and never leave until 6AM, kumain with limited rice at limited din ang ulam, bawal din sa yo ang makipag barkada sa sobra ng 4-6 tao, walang gimmick ika nga at pag medyo mahaba ang buhok mo ipagupit mo ng maigsi at kung may hikaw ka ipaalis mo. Hindi ka din makakapag salita ng kahit ano na kontra sa Magulang mo na lang at huwag na sa gobyerno. Pipila ka para bumili ng bigas, LPG at halos lahat ng basic commodities (pipila ka kunwari sa tindahan kahit walang pila by standing there for 1 hour or 2 hours bago ka bumili). Gusto mo pa ba ng iba pa?

Andoy

IPADALA NA SI PACQUIAO

Ipadala si Pacquiao at Robin Padilla sa Mindanao para mailabas ang yabang nila na kaya nilang maging peace negotiator!

Sama mo na rin mga pari at obispo na ayaw sa Martial Law. Baka sakaling kaya nilang daanin sa dasal and mga rebelde doon.

Buong Pilipinas dapat under sa Martial Law. Para magkadisiplina lahat ng Pilipino!


kagaw

me mga pulitikong mahilig sumawsaw para sumikat at mapag usapan
pag walang ginawa ang gobyernong kurakot, lalo na yung bangungut sa mindanao sasabihin inutil, walang silbi at mga magnanakaw na dayukdok.

pag me ginawang aksyon katulad ng batas militar hehehe sobra naman ata! me nag sabe namnan na baka umpisa nato sa buong bansa hehehe (patawa ka tungaw!) marami kaagad nag sumasakay sa isyo hehehe diba? mga party list na leftist? ( san kaya napupunta ang mga pondo nito? sa kabaundukan? at rali sa kalye? hehehe kamote! diba LP? hehehe lapian ng mga gurangot na pulitiko!

pag dating naman sa MEDIA o MAMAHAYAG! wala daw aksyon ang gobyerno ni ate glow! anung gusto? nung pagkatapos ma masaker lusubin agad ang mga ampatuan at dalhan ng sangkatutak na tangke, sumpit, tirador, sibat, at pana! hehehe di nila iniisip na king di mahinahon ang mga katulisan eh di mas dadanak ng mas maraming dugo o maraming mamatay dahil lalaban ang mga patungan este ampatuan, parang gusto ng mas malaking gulo para me iba,ita at maging entertainment sa tv at pahayagan!! hahahahaha!!

saan ka nakakita na binibilingan pang tv patrol kung kelan makakamit ang hustisya ng mga namasaker. hehehe tinatakot ba ang gobyerno kurkot o dinidiktahan! hehehee masyadong makapangyarihan na talaga ang mga mamahayag! ( kaya ba maraming namamatay na taga media? di naman sguro!)

saan kaya tayo lulugar??? maging patas kaya ang mga mamahayag na walang halong pulitika at kinikilingan na kandidatura? yung sinasabe na utang na loob sa mga ampatuan di rin kaya ma ihahambing sa pinapanigan nilang pulitiko o partidong pulitkal? hehehe masalimuot ta gulong gulo ang kokote ni karuwa!

karuwa

Nakakalungkot

Alam nyo ang isang pang napakalaking sakit ng ating bansa maliban sa corruption ay ang sobrang pamomolitika at mga papansing kritiko. Sobra ang politika dito sa atin na hindi mo na alam kung ano ba talaga gusto nila ipagawa sa administrasyon. Before ng martial law maririnig mo sa mga oppositions and mga KSP kritiko na ito na sobrang bagal ng gobyerno at pinagdududahang baka raw niluluto ang imbestigasyon. Ngayon naman na nagdeklara ng martial law para mapabilis ang paghuli and pagkuha ng mga ebidensya nagrereklamo. ANO BA TALAGA GUSTO NYO??? Tumigil nga kayo puro lang kayo satsat wala nga kayo naitutulong sa kaso. Kanino ba ang simpatya nyo, dun sa mga birdugong kriminal at ipanagtatanggol nyo pa ng karapatan o sa mga inosenting 57 na biktima na inalisan ng karapatan ng mga kriminal na ito.

Bilang isang ordinaryong Filipino hindi ko tuloy mapigil itanong sa sarili ko, may maganda pa kayang bukas ang mga anak ko sa bayang ito?

Nakakalungkot.


damned if you do ..damned if you dont

puro nalang si gloria nakita nyo.....no martial law...too slow to react....if theres martial law..too harsh.....tsk

:)

Let the world know what's happening in the name of Islam

Applause for the president for making her position regarding this national issue that already involved the whole world. It aroused the public awareness about the status of politics in Southern Philippines. It was a good decision of implementing this executive order for the benefits of innocent ones. I am not pro-administration but so far this was the first undertaking that Gloria administration made that somehow elevated my admiration to her at least a bit throughout her stay as president. And making stand behind the decision is fully appreciated.

This early evening I watched the latter part of Ted Failon's TV program Failon Ngayon guesting Robin Padilla on the show. He said on his message that let the region itself solve its own problem by making the region as separate state from the entire archipelago. To my understanding, he was saying that this civil war-zone region has its own capability of resolving different interest and conflicts between different organizations and its members. His own recommendation was just a result of stupidity of a certain Robin Padilla.

Mindanao as a separate state
How can a region solve its own problem when the people who are supposed to make the resolution are the ones being suspected who caused the violence? Had this claim of Mr. Padilla done previously or way many years back, we would not shock more than 57 people should have suffered and been killed or the worse hadn't shown up permanently. Mr. Padilla knows the fact that this region is totally submerged to dirty political ambition of Ampatuans who have made every part, if not most of them, named after their family members. What? Do you own Maguindanao? If government has allowed the separation of Mindanao from the Philippine archipelago, more likely this state will be as worse as Islam country Iraq.

Christians vs. Islam
Comparing to Christian, Moslems have more strict norms when it comes to maintainig discipline among themselves. I received an email before showing a young boy being punished by state authority for stealing a bun. You'll be shocked as I was when I learned that the punishment for stealing a piece of bun was crushing his arm by a car running over his arm. Upon checking the pictures, it wasn't an ordinary car that we see along Edsa but it was a utility truck type owner that you can feel upon looking at it how heavy it was. It's right that no religion can ever justify such hideous crime but wondering why do they have such heavy punishment regardless the gravity of the crime. Why is that? Because they know for a fact that they are extremely violent, barbaric, monstrous for the sake of their religion, terrorist, cruel in the name of their beliefs. In order for the governing body to regulate this attitude, they need to implement heavy and drastic in form rules and regulation of their states. This only shows the world what's happening in the name of Islam.

Questioning Martial Law
After Ted Failon show, I was also able to watch news over TV patrol Sabado. Headline featured anti-arroyo questioning Martial Law. I watched the whole interview of Harry Roque, UP law professor. He sounded like he's intimidated by this Maguindanao Martial Law proclamation. He said it might be the start of declaring another martial law covering the entire nation. This statement is premature to publicize. You may critic the government for doing such undertaking however not a proper decorum nor a proper statement to tell the public what is the probability to happen in the future.

Here comes FVR for his overreaction statement. He said there's no need to declare region under military control since law enforcement agencies under control. He even compared the situation when Gloria declared National State of Emergency everytime there was Coup attempt. Mr. former President, maybe you are not aware of what really happened and how these victims were being killed in repugnant manner. Mr. president check this link so that you educate yourself about the reason why there was a need to impose such action

http://www.digital-dreamspace.com/2009/11/ampatuan-massacre-in-maguindan...

I even saw the picture over the internet of the victims who were murdered beastly at its highest way when my friend sent this link through my outlook email. I just saw one picture of it then suddenly closed it. I can't take a look at it.

jvsanty

IMBESTIGASYON

IMBESTIGASYON LOKOHAN LANG IYAN. SINO BA ANG BUYER? ALAM NA ALAM NAMAN KUNG SINO ANG NAGMAMAY-ARI NG ARMAS? MAGALING NAMAN SA TAKTIKAL INTERROGATION ANG MILITAR LALO NA MARTIAL LAW NA SA MAGUINDANAO. BAKIT DI NA LANG TORTURIN MGA AMPATUAN PARA IKANTA ANG SUPPLIER NILANG GENERAL. PERO MORO-MORO LANG ANG PALABAS NA IMBESTIGASYON NA IYAN. DAHILAN DAPAT MANAGOT AY IYONG MGA NAGBUO AT NAG-UTOS NG IMBESTIGASYON. SINO BA ANG MILITARY COMMANDERS NG MAGUINDANAO? ANG COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF?KAILAN BA DUMATING ANG MGA ARMAS NA IYAN? HELLO GEN. ESPERON? HELLO GEN. FERRER? HELLO GARCI? HELLO GOV. AMPATUAN? KASADO NA BA ANG PANALO NATIN SA ELEKSYON DYAN SA MAGUINDANAO? PWEE DAPAT BITININ NG TUWAD SI PANDAK!!!

change yes we can

Respect the President ????

pinoy27

Keep in mind, it’s the president responsibility who give those guns to whom. if her cronies are not capable of doing their jobs then she should have picked better people.

Are you living in the dream world that a lowly Sergeant or even a General could just hand over this amount of armour to those murderous bastards without the palace knowhow???

Wake up, there is a difference between taking a bribe for a pistol and handing over 4-5 truckloads of armour.

My personal opinion is that the present administration does not deserve to be respected, from Arroyo all the way down they are all corrupt, and only worry about how to fill their own bank accounts.

What suprises me every day is that the people of the Philippines dont realize that its in their hand to rid themself of the likes of Arroyo and consorts, dont vote for them, show them that they are not welcome to represent you all.

For all who voted for a corrupt official, you and your family as well as the rest of the Pinoy's will have to live with it. I hope you feel the pain you caused. Learn from it, people who sell their democratic vote should be threaded as TRAITORS.