Massacre victims' kin, anti-crime groups arrive at Camp Crame

Members and lawyers of anti-crime groups arrived at Philippine National Police headquarters in Camp Crame more than an hour early for the arraignment of a town mayor linked to the massacre of 57 people in Maguindanao last November. Radio dzBB reported that members of the Citizens Crime Watch (CCW) and Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) arrived at Camp Crame before 7:30 a.m. On the other hand, relatives of the victims in the November 23 massacre also arrived at Camp Crame before 8 a.m. to attend the proceedings. They included Editha Tiamzon, whose husband Daniel of UNTV was among those killed in the massacre; Buluan Vice Mayor Ismael Mangudadatu, who lost wife Genalyn in the bloodbath; and lawyers Harry Roque Jr. and Romel Bagares. Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. arrived at Camp Crame nearly an hour earlier, at 6:30 a.m. This was two hours before the start of the trial at 8:30 a.m. CCW lawyers led by Pete Principe and Jose Malvar Villegas Jr. were to take part in the trial to oppose the mayor's petition to post bail. The CCW and VACC earlier vowed to keep close watch on developments in the Maguindanao massacre case. Security remained tight at Camp Crame, with the PNP headquarters support unit on full alert. At least 300 police personnel kept watch over the trial venue at the Police Non-Commissioned Officers' Club House. Even personnel of the Department of Justice and National Bureau of Investigation were asked to deposit their firearms outside the hearing venue. Media representatives covering the event were also asked to leave their electronic gadgets, including recorders and cell phones, outside the hearing room. - RSJ, GMANews.TV