MILF ‘coddling’ massacre suspects – NPC

THE National Press Club of the Philippines (NPC) called on the government to demand that the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to surrender the suspects of the 2009 Maguindanao massacre believed being “coddled” in MILF camps.

The country’s premier organization of journalists, led by its president, Benny Antiporda, called the attention of President Benigno Aquino 3rd and MILF Chairman Embrahim Murad to incorporate in their agreement the surrender of the suspects before they sign the formal peace pact.

Antiporda said that the press club received information from reliable sources and other concerned groups from Mindanao that the separatist movement has been “coddling” some people involved in the massacre.

“If the government is sincere in upholding press freedom and giving justice to the victims as promised by President Aquino during the campaign period, he should ask the MILF for the surrender of the suspects,” he stressed.

The NPC also pointed out that if the MILF is sincere in its pursuit of peace, national reconciliation and development in Mindanao, it should also voluntarily surrender the suspects.

While the NPC recognized the efforts made by state security forces, especially the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines ( AFP), it remains concerned that some of the over 90 armed followers of the Ampatuan clan who are involved in the killings remain at large.

Sources informed Antiporda that about 70 of the suspects are now with the MILF.

“Evidently, it would be next to impossible for the PNP and the AFP to arrest the other suspects if they are being given safe haven by the MILF. Thus, the initiative is now with President Aquino and chairman Murad to ensure that justice is accorded to the victims of the massacre,” Antiporda said.

On November 23, 2009, the Ampatuan clan massacred 58 people, 32 of whom were members of the press.

The NPC, together with the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, the Burgos Media Center, UNTV and other causeoriented groups would launch a protest march on Friday to commemorate the massacre’s third anniversary.

As part of the commemoration, the movie

by Director Joel Lamangan will be shown at the Cinema 9 of SM Manila after the rally.