[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 218 Referred in Senate (RFS)]

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

              

 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.

            Passed the House of Representatives December 8, 2009.

            Attest:

                                            LORRAINE C. MILLER,

                                                                 Clerk.