H. Con. Res. 218 Agreed to December 18, 2009

One Hundred Eleventh Congress 

of the 

United States of America 

AT THE FIRST SESSION 

Begun and held at the City of Washington on Tuesday, 

the sixth day of January, two thousand and nine 

Concurrent Resolution 

Whereas, on November 23, 2009, 57 unarmed civilians were slain 

in Maguindanao in the worst politically motivated violence in 

recent Philippine history; 

Whereas those killed were on their way to file nomination papers 

on behalf of Ismael Mangudadatu, vice mayor of Buluan, who 

intended to run against Andal Ampatuan, Jr. who is currently 

mayor of Datay Unsu, in next year’s gubernatorial elections to 

succeed Andal Ampatuan, Sr., the father of Andal Ampatuan, 

Jr.; 

Whereas many of those killed were women and children, including 

the wife of Vice Mayor Ismael Mangudadatu and his two sisters; 

Whereas most of the women were reportedly raped and their bodies 

were mutilated after being shot; 

Whereas as of December 2, 2009, initial charges have been filed 

in connection with the massacre, according to press reports; 

Whereas the Freedom Fund for Filipino Journalists reports that 

at least 30 journalists and media workers were killed in the 

Maguindanao massacre; 

Whereas, the Committee to Protect Journalists reports that prior 

to the Maguindanao massacre, 30 journalists had been killed 

in the Philippines since 2000, and suspects were prosecuted in 

no more than 4 cases, putting into question the safety of journalists and the integrity of independent journalism in the Philippines; 

Whereas government prosecutors and judges with jurisdiction over 

the massacre have allegedly received threats and have been told 

to ‘‘go slow’’ on the investigation; 

Whereas President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo declared a state of 

emergency in Maguindanao the day after the massacre, vowing 

that ‘‘no effort will be spared to bring justice to the victims’’; 

Whereas extrajudicial killings and election-related violence are 

common in the Philippines, though never on this scale and rarely 

with this level of brutality; and 

Whereas the United States and the Philippines share a strong 

friendship based on shared history and the commitment to democracy and freedom: Now, therefore, be it 
H. Con. Res. 218—2 

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That Congress— 

(1) regrets the senseless killing of unarmed civilians and 

expresses its deepest condolences to the families of the 57 

victims; 

(2) condemns the culture of impunity that continues to 

exist among clans, politicians, armed elements, and other persons of influence in the Philippines; 

(3) calls for a thorough, transparent, and independent 

investigation and prosecution of those who are responsible for 

the massacre, including those who committed the killings and 

anyone who may have ordered them, and that the proceedings 

be conducted with the highest possible level of professionalism, 

impartiality, and regard for witness protection to assure the 

Filipino people that all the responsible persons are brought 

to justice; 

(4) calls for an end to extrajudicial killings and electionrelated violence; 

(5) calls for freedom of press and the safety of the reporters 

investigating the massacre; 

(6) urges the Departments of State and Justice and other 

United States Government agencies to review their assistance 

programs to the Government of the Philippines, and to offer 

any technical assistance, such as forensics support, that Philippine authorities may request; and 

(7) reaffirms the United States commitment to working 

alongside Philippine authorities to combat corruption, terrorism, and security threats. 

Attest: 

Clerk of the House of Representatives. 

Attest: 

Secretary of the Senate.