The Ampatuans, State-Backed Militias, and Killings in the Southern Philippines

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On June 5, 2004, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo poses with the Ampatuan clan. Seated from left: Datu Piang Mayor Saudi Ampatuan, Jr.; Maguindanao Governor Andal Ampatuan, Sr.; President Arroyo; Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan, Jr.; and Shariff Aguak Mayor Zaldy Ampatuan. Standing from left: Mamasapano Mayor Datu Akmad Ampatuan; ARMM Environment Regional Secretary Kabuntalan Embalawa; Maguindanao Governor Executive Secretary Salid Druz Ali; Alex Ampi; and Mike Midtimbang. Source: Malacañang 159051
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A paramilitary force member on patrol in North Cotabato, Central Mindanao. In Maguindanao, the Ampatuans used militia members, police, and soldiers as their private army. © 2009 Amnon Gutman 159051
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The identification card of a Police Auxiliary Unit member, signed by the municipal mayor and the provincial police director in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao. © 2009 Human Rights Watch 159051
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The identification card of a Police Auxiliary Unit member, signed by the municipal mayor and the provincial police director in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao. © 2009 Human Rights Watch 159051
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Zaldy Ampatuan, governor of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) from 2005-2009, on election day, 2008. © 2008 Veejay Villafranca 159051
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Andal Ampatuan, Sr.’s mansion, which stands in stark contrast to the thatched housing that abounds throughout Maguindanao. © 2010 Human Rights Watch 159051
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A typical family home in Datu Piang, Maguindanao. © 2010 Human Rights Watch 159051
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Then-Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan, Sr. and his son, regional governor Zaldy Ampatuan, casting their votes on election day, August 11, 2008. © 2008 Veejay Villafranca 159051
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The Ampatuans continue to maintain a substantial power base in Maguindanao. After the May 2010 elections, eight of the 34 mayors in Maguindanao carry the Ampatuan name; several others are also related to Ampatuan, Sr. © 2010 Human Rights Watch 159051
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The backhoe used to bury the victims of the Maguindanao massacre. A human rights activist told Human Rights Watch that, in the past, the Ampatuans would tie the hands of the victim and blindfold them, then the “backhoe digs, pulls you down the hole, then you are covered until you die.” © 2009 Veejay Villafranca 159051
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The Tambungalan family home remains riddled with holes from the bullets that killed Haji Noria Tambungalan and her child on July 20, 2005. © 2009 Human Rights Watch 159051
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Brothers Morshid (wearing a cap) and King (center, front) Abdulrasid, who Ampatuan family members and militiamen allegedly tortured and killed on December 24, 2002. © Abdulrasid family 159051
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Investigators work to recover bodies of victims in the days following the Maguindanao massacre. Fifty-seven bodies were recovered from the mass grave and surrounding area, together with the partial dentures of the 58th victim, journalist Reynaldo “Bebot” Momay. At this writing, Momay’s body remains missing. © 2009 Veejay Villafranca 159051
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Residents of Shariff Aguak prepare to evacuate, fearing reprisals from the November 23, 2009 Maguindanao massacre. © 2009 Human Rights Watch 159051
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The Datu Piang town center, Maguindanao, deserted following the November 23, 2009 Maguindanao massacre. © 2009 Human Rights Watch 159051
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In the aftermath of the Maguindanao massacre, investigators recovered at least 1,000 weapons in and around the homes of Andal Ampatuan, Sr. and Jr., including anti-tank weapons, mortars, machineguns, automatic pistols, and sniper and assault rifles, as well as tens of thousands of rounds of ammunition. © 2009 Veejay Villafranca 159051
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One of the military weapons in the Ampatuan family arsenal, an Israeli-made Tavor assault rifle. © 2010 Private 159051
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The Ampatuans’ sangguko, an improvised armored vehicle with mounted machine guns. The machine guns have been removed. © 2009 Private 159051
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Principal suspect, Then-mayor of Datu Unsay Andal Ampatuan, Jr., surrendered to the government through Presidential Adviser on Mindanao Affairs Jesus Dureza on November 26, 2009, three days after the massacre. © 2009 Veejay Villafranca 159051
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A government source told Human Rights Watch that after Justice Department officials and police had taken custody of Andal Ampatuan, Jr., and boarded this helicopter, he asked, “Which hotel will I be billeted in?” © 2009 Veejay Villafranca 159051
A ruling family in the southern Philippines island of Mindanao committed killings and other abuses over two decades with the support of government security forces and officials. One year after the massacre of 58 people in Maguindanao province attributed to the Ampatuan family and their "private army" on November 23, 2009, the Philippine government has failed to seriously investigate atrocities by powerful ruling families, ban abusive militia forces, or curtail access of officials to military weaponry.
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