General Santos City (Philippines), Dec 3 (DPA) Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Thursday vowed justice for the victims of a massacre allegedly perpetrated by her political allies in which 57 people were murdered.
Arroyo visited the wake of six journalists who were among those killed in the Nov 23 mass slaughter in Ampatuan town in Maguindanao province, 930 km south of Manila.
Arroyo told the relatives that the government would apply the full force of the law in bringing to justice the perpetrators of the crime.
“We will help your children in their education and help you in your quest for justice,” Arroyo told the grieving families in a roadside funeral parlour in General Santos City.
After giving her condolences to the relatives of the victims, Arroyo also met with police officials to get an update on the investigation into the massacre, whose principal suspect is a scion of a powerful political clan closely allied with her administration.
State prosecutors filed Tuesday 25 counts of murder against Datu Andal Ampatuan Junior, who is detained at the National Bureau of Investigation in Manila.
Police also filed Wednesday a criminal complaint against six other relatives of Ampatuan Junior, including his father, Maguindanao Governor Datu Andal Ampatuan Senior, for complicity in the attack.
Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno said more charges were expected to be filed against those accused of being involved in the crime.
“Yes, there will be more arrests,” he said.
When asked if Ampatuan Senior would be arrested, he said: “I think he will also be charged. So the courts will have to decide on his arrest.”
The massacre victims were on their way to file the certificate of candidacy of Buluan town Vice Mayor Esmael Mangudadatu for Maguindanao governor, pitting him against Ampatuan Junior in next year’s elections.
They included Mangudadatu’s wife, two sisters, two human rights lawyers and 30 local journalists who were covering the event.
Mangudadatu filed his certificate of candidacy four days after the murders, while Ampatuan Junior is no longer running for Maguindanao governor. His father is running for the post of vice governor.
The government has been severely criticised for its slow response to the case. It took four days before Ampatuan Junior was placed under the custody of the justice department.
