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 journal-
ists and the integrity of independent journalism in the Phil-
ippines; 
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 democ-
racy and freedom: Now, therefore, be it
H. Con. Res. 218—2 
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concur-
ring), 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 per-
sons 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 election- 
related 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 Phil-
ippine authorities may request; and 
(7) reaffirms the United States commitment to working 
alongside Philippine authorities to combat corruption, ter-
rorism, and security threats. 
Attest: 
Clerk of the House of Representatives. 
Attest: 
Secretary of the Senate.