It is next to impossible for presidential aspirant Gibo Teodoro to escape responsibility for the Maguindanao massacre. He admitted that he warned Mayor Toto Mangudadatu of the violent nature of the Ampatuans. That, in itself is clear proof that he is aware of the heavy firearms that GMA gave to them.
Thus, Teodoro could have removed the threat posed by the Ampatuans. As Defence Secretary, he was very capable of mandating the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to conduct a search and arrest manoeuvre in Maguindanao. Was it not the AFP who arrested the Ampatuans, disbanded their private armies and confiscated their huge armoury? But that happened “post facto.”
In his bid for the presidency, he advertises himself as “Magaling at Matalino (competent and talented).” Where was this competence and talent when he failed to remove the threat posed by the Ampatuans? The multiple murder of the journalists and members of the Mangudadatu clan certainly raised questions on Teodoro’s character and judgment.
His only lame excuse for arming the Ampatuans was the threat of rebellion of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). For this writer, that reason is not good enough. He merely turned over the function of the AFP to a dubious group like the Ampatuans.
Shouldn’t we question why the national government coddles these warlords? Is it not obvious that the only motive of GMA is to protect her own selfish political interests in the region? Teodoro’s lame excuse was to counter local threats posed by the MILF. That sounds bullshit to this writer! — by Nostradino