Arroyo letting Ampatuans get off the hook for May polls - KMU

Kilusang Mayo Uno slammed the recent dismissal of rebellion charges against the Ampatuans, vowing that intensified pressure and vigilance will be exerted by workers on the Maguindanao massacre. The group also said that Gloria Arroyo should be held accountable for the illegal martial law declaration in Maguindanao last year.

KMU said the recent court decision favoring the Ampatuans is part of Arroyo’s plan to absolve the Ampatuans so that she can use them for sabotage operations during elections in the name of perpetuating herself in power.

“Arroyo may use the Ampatuans again to either incite brutal violence or do automated shaving and padding (dagdag-bawas) to upset the conduct of elections. This has been proven in previous elections – that the Ampatuans are the President’s most reliable pawns in advancing her dark wishes,” KMU chairperson Elmer “Bong” Labog said.

Labog said the the dismissal of rebellion charges has proven that critics of martial law in Maguindanao were right all along.

“The charges were obviously baseless from the very start, and were only used to soften the Ampatuans’ crimes so that they can escape prosecution,” said Labog.

“Arroyo should now be convicted for the malicious declaration of Martial Law in Maguindanao, aside from the fact that the declaration clearly violated the Constitution,” he added.

Labog said even the military official in charge with enforcing the Martial Law imposed December 5 last year admitted that the rebellion case was very hard to prove.

Labog also said that the timing of the dropping of the charges is perfect for Arroyo and the Ampatuans.

“People are busy with preparations for the Holy Week, and are in a forgiving mode. That’s the reason for the timing. They want people to forgive what Jesus Christ himself would not – a massacre of innocent civilians for selfish ends,” Labog said.

“We vow that such criminals – Arroyo and the Ampatuans - will never escape the wrath of the people,” Labog said. #