Trillanes pushes for Maguindanao probe

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV called for an investigation on the mass murder of an estimated 57 civilians in Maguindanao allegedly linked to known allies of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

"Now more than ever the Senate must exercise its oversight function when we can hardly trust this Administration to implement policies against electoral violence and the killing of journalists without bias and delay," he said.

In a resolution Trillanes condemned the killings whose casualties included mostly women and members of media, noting the reported negligence and possible involvement of military and police personnel with civilian local officials.

"This is 'political warlordism' at its worst which has gone on in many parts of the country all these years," he said.

The issuance of illegal firearms to local officials under the guise of security has worsened due to either tolerance or pressure, according to Trillanes. "These end up being used for kidnapping, robbery, harassment, tribal wars and in this case, the massacre of political foes."

Trillanes has previously pushed for tougher legislation against illegal firearms and ammunitions to help curb the escalating violence in Mindanao and other parts of the country.

His bill significantly provides for maximum penalty for violations committed by public officials whether in civilian or military, police or law enforcement service.