[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 218 Enrolled Bill (ENR)]

        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

    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 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 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.