III 

111TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. CON. RES. 218 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

DECEMBER 9, 2009 

Received and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations 

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 

Expressing sympathy for the 57 civilians who were killed 

in the southern Philippines on November 23, 2009. 

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 


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HCON 218 RFS 

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 


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HCON 218 RFS 

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 

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 

2 concurring), That Congress— 

3 (1) regrets the senseless killing of unarmed ci4 vilians and expresses its deepest condolences to the 

5 families of the 57 victims; 

6 (2) condemns the culture of impunity that con7 tinues to exist among clans, politicians, armed ele8 ments, and other persons of influence in the Phil9 ippines; 

10 (3) calls for a thorough, transparent, and inde11 pendent investigation and prosecution of those who 

12 are responsible for the massacre, including those 

13 who committed the killings and anyone who may 

14 have ordered them, and that the proceedings be con15 ducted with the highest possible level of profes16 sionalism, impartiality, and regard for witness pro17 tection to assure the Filipino people that all the re18 sponsible persons are brought to justice; 

19 (4) calls for an end to extrajudicial killings and 

20 election-related violence; 

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

22 the reporters investigating the massacre; 


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HCON 218 RFS 

1 (6) urges the Departments of State and Justice 

2 and other United States Government agencies to re3 view their assistance programs to the Government of 

4 the Philippines, and to offer any technical assist5 ance, such as forensics support, that Philippine au6 thorities may request; and 

7 (7) reaffirms the United States commitment to 

8 working alongside Philippine authorities to combat 

9 corruption, terrorism, and security threats. 

Passed the House of Representatives December 8, 

2009. 

Attest: LORRAINE C. MILLER, 

Clerk. 


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