Violence Grips Mindanao As Elections Loom

More than 50 people, including supporters of Ismail Mangudadatu - a gubernatorial candidate in the upcoming May 2010 elections - and journalists were killed in a politically-motivated attack in Maguindanao, southwestern Mindanao. The perpetrators were allegedly militiamen affiliated to the rival Ampatuan clan. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's administration has vowed to investigate and prosecute the killers. Despite the government's promises, we are skeptical that those responsible for the massacre could be brought to justice, at least in the near term, given that the Ampatuans have been allies of Arroyo's ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD.

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