SHARIFF AGUAK, Maguindanao--Their name is synonymous to power. Now, according to Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Solicitor General Cynthia Sayadi, the Ampatuans are now exposed to threats from Muslim rebels and their political rivals.
“There’s a high threat from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the clan of the Mangudadatu. They (Ampatuans) are afraid,” Sayadi told the Inquirer.

“We ask the government to listen to Governor Zaldy Ampatuan. How would you feel if you are elected official and yet you have only a few escorts?” she added.

The regional governor’s brother, Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. has been arrested for allegedly leading some 100 men in killing at least 57 people who were part of a convoy that was on its way to Shariff Aguak town in Maguindanao to file the certificate of candidacy of Buluan vice mayor Esmael Mangudadatu for Maguindanao governor.

Andal Jr. was also supposed to run for the same post.

Days after the Nov. 23 massacre and the implementation of the state of emergency in Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat and Cotabato City, soldiers claimed to have disarmed hundreds of private armies and seized two armored vehicles from the Ampatuans.

Major Randolph Cabangbang, spokesperson of the military’s Eastern Mindanao Command, told the Inquirer by phone that troops from the 6th Division recovered 352 assorted weapons from private security escorts of Ampatuan clan in Maguindanao.

Late last week, soldiers disarmed hundreds of private armies of Ampatuan and seized two armored vehicles with 50 caliber machineguns.

A total of 352 assorted firearms (99 M-14, 227-Garand, 25-Carbine rifles) were recovered from militiamen deployed to the Ampatuans, according to Cabangbang.

“There was no resistance from the militias. Everybody was cooperative,” he said.

Asked if the military would search for more high-end weapons from the mansions of Ampatuan, Cabangbang said: “We can’t just raid them without warrant.”

“The State of Emergency is implemented to prevent the escalation of violence in Maguindanao,” Cabangbang said.

ARMM Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan, in an interview Sunday, said there was no need for authorities to look for other firearms since all of these have been confiscated from the militias last week.

Eid Kabalu, MILF civil-military affairs chief, said they were not opportunists who would take advantage of the situation to destabilize the province.

“We are just in defensive position. Yes, it is a better opportunity for the group but our men are not like that. Maybe, those they (Ampatuans) have conflict with (might take advantage of the situation),” Kabalu said.

Sayadi said only four (two Armed Forces, two Philippine National Police) security escorts have been detailed to ARMM Governor Ampatuan.