Puno Orders Zaldy Ampatuan to Answer Complaint in Connection with Maguindanao Massacre

December 2, 2009

Secretary Ronnie Puno of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) yesterday ordered Governor Zaldy Ampatuan of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao to answer within a non-extendible period of five days the complaint filed against him by Buluan vice mayor Ibrahim Mangudadatu in connection with the massacre of 57 unarmed civilians in the ARMM province of Maguindanao.

In his directive, Puno said that upon the evaluation of the complaint, the DILG  “found sufficient cause to conduct a formal investigation in relation to [ARMM Gov. Ampatuan’s] alleged failure to protect the civil, human and political rights of the persons who were killed.”

“Consistent with the requirements of due process, you are hereby directed to submit your answer in writing and under oath within five (5) days from receipt hereof, submitting therewith sworn statements of your witnesses and other pertinent documents, if any,” Puno said in his order.

He noted that Ampatuan’s failure to submit his answer within the non-extendible period of five days will amount to a waiver of his right to respond to the complaint.

In his sworn letter-complaint dated Dec. 1, Mangudadatu noted that the “gruesome murders of more than fifty persons, including at least seventeen members of the media, eight civilians and two lawyers, in Maguindanao have resulted in numerous complaints and protests from civic, religious and political groups and non-governmental organizations against the leadership of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) for the evident failure to protect the civil, human and political rights of the victims."

Puno immediately ordered an evaluation of the complaint  and directed the DILG legal service to submit its recommendations within 24 hours.

Mangudadatu addressed his complaint to Puno, following President Arroyo’s directive transferring her powers of general supervision over autonomous regions to the DILG.

The Buluan vice mayor pointed out in his complaint that under the law, the President can suspend or remove the ARMM regional governor “for wilful violation of the Constitution, the Organic Act or any existing law that applies to the autonomous region, and to suspend, reduce or cancel the financial blocks or grants-in-aid, funds for infrastructure, and other forms of assistance intended for the autonomous region.”

The President has the constitutional mandate to exercise general supervision over the autonomous regions to ensure that all laws in such areas are faithfully executed and is authorized under Republic Act No. 9054 to suspend or remove the ARMM governor.

Last Nov. 27, President Arroyo issued Administrative Order No. 273, which transfers such powers over the ARMM from the Office of the President to the DILG. as part of the government measures undertaken to speed up the investigation into the massacre of 57 persons in Maguindanao and bring to justice the perpetrators of the heinous crime.

Mangudadatu has assured Puno  that “other evidence in support of his letter-complaint will be submitted as they become available.”