Manhunt for a group of rebel militia some of whom were involved in the Nov. 23 massacre of 57 civilians and journalists continues despite the lifting of martial law in Maguindanao, officials said. The militiamen, numbering to nearly 2,000 are former government militia men (CAFGU) and police civilian volunteer organization (CVO) that was armed by the government against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). But through the years, these militiamen and CVO members have been more loyal to the Ampatuans, a powerful political clan in Central Mindanao who were accused of masterminding the gruesome massacre in Ampatuan town. Military Chief Information officer, Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner Jr., said that military operations against these rebel militiamen who are heavily armed will still continue. “We are still pursuing some armed groups and this is the remnants of the rebellion [in Maguindanao,” Brawner said over a radio interview. The government had placed Maguindanao under martial law on Dec. 4 but immediately lifted it Dec. 12. The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it will continue to sustain law enforcement operations particularly against loose firearms and partisan armed groups will continue even with lifting of martial law. PNP chief, Director General Jesus A. Verzosa said the short-lived martial law in Maguindanao has restored normalcy and effectively re-established rule of law in the province. “We are happy to see that the people of Maguindanao are getting back on their feet and that normal business activity has resumed after social order and control were restored when it was placed under martial law,” Versoza said. The PNP chief said that during the eight-day long martial law in the province, government troops were able to confiscate more than a huge cache of firearms including light anti-tank weapons. As of Friday, government security forces accounted for 1,001 assorted high-powered firearms and crew-served weapons mostly from CAFGU and CVO forces organized in different towns of Maguindanao. “Definitely, arrests will continue particularly for the remaining suspects included among the 187 respondents charged with multiple murder,” Versoza said. At present, 25 suspects in the Ampatuan massacre are in police custody including Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. and Maguindanao Governor Datu Andal Ampatuan Sr.
