The Philippine Online Chronicles

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) is offering a total of P28 million for information leading to the arrest of 112 suspects thought to be involved in the Maguindanao Massacre.

The 112 have remained at large since the elections-related massacre of 57 people in Ampatuan, Maguindanao last November. According to Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Senior Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr., 96 of the suspects are members of the Civilian Volunteer Organization (CVO) and 16 are PNP personnel.

Among those detained for connections to the massacre are former Maguindanao Governor Andal Ampatuan Sr. and his sons, former Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., and former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Governor Zaldy Ampatuan. Twenty-six other members of the Ampatuan clan are suspected of involvement. Another 62 suspects have been detained.

A P250,000 bounty has been offered for each of the 112 still at large.

New Justice Secretary Leila de Lima has also ordered greater protection for witnesses.

“A special team of prosecutors is sitting down with police on how to firmly and effectively address the spate of killings, violence and harassment of witnesses,” de Lima said. “The stepped-up efforts include the immediate tracking down and arrest of the others accused.”

“For as long as [the perpetrators] are still physically out there, and seemingly with resources and communication access to and from their big bosses, the atmosphere of violence and climate of fear will subsist,” de Lima continued.

The order came in the wake of the killing of Suwaib Upham, who claimed to be one of those who perpetrated the massacre and was willing to testify against Maguindanao Massacre primary suspect Andal Ampatuan, Jr.

The police recently arrested two suspects who allegedly gunned down Upham. Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) operatives are also tracking down others suspected to be involved in the killing.