Troops move in
The overstretched military and police have been arming civilian volunteers as a backup force. In areas like Maguindanao, some have become de facto private armies on the payroll of local political warlords. — PHOTO: AFP
MANILA – PHILIPPINE troops moved in on the southern strongholds of some 4,000 government-armed militiamen loyal to a powerful clan accused of ordering the brutal massacre of 57 people, the military said Thursday.
Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner, the armed forces spokesman, said the possibility of clashes with the militiamen has risen after a deadline for them to surrender lapsed and troops headed to their hide-outs in least seven townships of southern Maguindanao province.
‘We have started moving in and positioning our troops, but there is no actual firefight yet,’ Brawner said, adding the operation was meant to pressure the militiamen to surrender.
The operation was launched after the militiamen failed to heed the warning on thousands of leaflets air dropped by helicopters Tuesday for them to surrender in 24 hours. More leaflets were dropped Thursday, Brawner said.
Government-sponsored militias have become a fixture in many Philippine provinces plagued by Muslim and communist rebellions and by bandits. Over the years, the overstretched military and police have been arming civilian volunteers as a backup force. In areas like Maguindanao, some have become de facto private armies on the payroll of local political warlords.
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s top Cabinet officials appeared for the second day Thursday before lawmakers to defend her proclamation of martial law in Maguindanao, where 57 people – including 30 journalists and their staff – were shot at close range last month. Critics called the martial law declaration a dangerous precedent, but Cabinet members said it was needed to stave off a rebellion by the Ampatuan family, the main suspects in the Nov. 23 killings, and their private army. — AP
