MALAYBALAY CITY  (MindaNews/20 April) -- As the May 10 general elections draw near the pieces appear to be rapidly falling into place. The latest to fit itself into the Arroyo administration’s elaborate jigsaw is Acting Justice Secretary Alberto Agra’s order to drop the multiple murder charges against ARMM Governor Datu Zaldy Ampatuan and his brother in law, former Mamasapano mayor, later Acting Maguindanao Vice Governor Akmad Ampatuan, in connection with the November 23, 2009 Ampatuan Massacre. 

MALAYBALAY CITY (MindaNews/23 Dec) -- The discovery in Maguindanao of a huge stockpile of high-powered firearms and ammunition reportedly stashed by the Ampatuans in the wake of a massacre in Ampatuan town which killed some 60 people, betrayed not only the degree of political closeness between the province’s most powerful family and the Arroyo administration but also the state’s long-standing strategy of using non-military/police actors in counterinsurgency.

MALAYBALAY CITY (MindaNews/25 Nov) – National and international attention is now riveted on the Philippines after the Monday massacre of the wife of a gubernatorial bet in Ampatuan town in Maguindanao, two female lawyers and several journalists, in what could be a foreshadowing of how violent next year’s elections would be in that war-torn and warlord-dominated province. Aside from expressing shock over the sheer insanity of the tragedy, the condemnations coming from media groups, religious leaders and bodies like the United Nations and European Union also carry a common message and demand: bring the perpetrators to justice.

MALAYBALAY CITY (MindaNews/30 Sep) – Floods in Metro Manila and neighboring provinces spawned by Tropical Storm Ondoy revealed the utter helplessness of government in dealing with major disasters. Except for Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro who had to call the shots as chair of the National Disaster Coordinating Council – and who presumably saw the calamity as a chance to boost his political stock – officials had shown but token concern for the victims. Efforts were haphazard and there seemed to be reluctance to mobilize public resources to the hilt, that is, if there are still resources left for food, medicines and other needs for the displaced families.

MALAYBALAY CITY (MindaNews/14 Sept) -- After nearly five years, judgment on the civil case we filed against the Bukidnon Second Electric Cooperative (Buseco) is finally out. This morning I went to our lawyer to read the full text of the decision. At first I thought it would just be a casual read since the judgment is in our favor. But once I started going across the pages my body felt cold and my muscles tensed. It was like experiencing all over again the incident that led to the filing of the
case – the fire that destroyed our house and all our belongings on June 26, 2004.