Police watch 11 election ‘hot spots’ in Maguindanao

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines—The police in Maguindanao have classified 11 of the province’s 36 municipalities as potential flashpoints for violence following the onset of the election period.

Senior Superintendent Jaime Pido, Maguindanao police director, said six of the potential hot spots were identified as bailiwicks of the Ampatuan clan, whose patriarch and several other members have been implicated in the November 2009 massacre of 58 people, including 32 journalists.

The massacre was related to the gubernatorial bid of Esmael Mangudadatu, then vice mayor of the town of Buluan, against Andal Ampatuan Jr., then mayor of the town of Datu Unsay whom the older Ampatuan was building up to succeed him as provincial governor. Another son, Zaldy, who is also implicated in the massacre, was governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao at the time.

Mangudadatu eventually became governor and Andal Sr., his sons, a number of other relatives and supporters were arrested for the grisly killings, considered the worst case of election violence in the country’s history.

Pido said being closely watched, with security measures already implemented, are the towns of Pagalungan, Shariff Aguak, Mamasapano, Paglat, Datu Unsay, Shariff Saydona, Datu Hoffer, Datu Salibo, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Sultan Mastura and Sultan Kudarat.

“Our security plan is already in place to ensure peaceful and orderly elections in the province,” Pido said by phone.

He said the situation in the province remained “normal” but admitted it could quickly change.

“You know, this is one place in the region where the security situation is very unpredictable,” Pido said.

Maguindanao Governor Esmael Mangudadatu said he believed the police and the military’s security measures would help prevent passions heating up as the elections approach.

He said the Ampatuans, who had ruled the province with an iron hand for more than two decades, could still sow violence even from behind bars “because of their money” and considerable support base.

“Maguindanao has been under the control of a feudal warlord for years. Despite the fact that they are already in prison, they can still do anything they want,” Mangudadatu said.

But Mangudadatu, who was close to the Ampatuans until he decided to seek the governorship, said he was optimistic that “with the help of the police and military, the Comelec people can do their job without fear or bias.”

“Let the people choose the kind of leaders they want,” he said.