GENERAL SANTOS CITY – The legislative council here has passed a resolution opposing the continued detention of the Ampatuans at the headquarters of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in this city, citing security risks and sensitivity to the feelings of residents.

Four members of the Ampatuan clan, including Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Governor Zaldy Ampatuan, are detained at the CIDG lock-up cell at Camp Fermin G. Lira, Jr. here.

Vice Mayor Florentina Congson told reporters the continued detention of the Ampatuans in the city has not only put the security of the city at risk, but is also considered insensitive to the feelings of the families of the victims of the infamous Maguindanao massacre.

“Families of many journalists killed in the Maguindanao massacre are residing here. I think it is unfair that the Ampatuans are being detained here,” Congson said in explaining the passage of the resolution last Thursday.

Congson said residents and businessmen here fear that the presence of the Ampatuans even in detention here would draw trouble amid reports that hundreds of their armed followers remain at large.

Several businessmen complained that business and tourism have suffered due to the detention of the Ampatuans here.

Apart from the suspended ARMM governor, authorities have detained in this city his brother, Sajid Islam, the suspended acting Maguindanao governor; brother-in-law and cousin Akmad “Tato”, former provincial vice governor; and younger brother Anwar, mayor of Shariff Aguak town.

The city council resolution asked government agencies to immediately cause the transfer of the Ampatuans to areas where charges of murder and rebellion would be filed against them.

The city council also passed another resolution opposing the decision of the Philippine National Police to transfer several police personnel from Maguindanao to General Santos.

“We don’t want police personnel sacked from their posts in Maguindanao to be assigned in the city. In the same manner, we don’t want our local police personnel to be assigned in Maguindanao,” Congson said.

The PNP relieved the entire police force in Maguindanao after the November 23 mass murder of civilians and journalists in Ampatuan town.

Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez of the Diocese of Marbel for his part has challenged the media to continue the pressure on the national government until justice is served to the 57 victims of the Maguindanao massacre.

“We Filipinos have a short memory,” Gutierrez said, adding that media must continue the crusade for justice to keep the crime and the need for justice fresh in public minds.

“Let’s all pray for the judges and the witnesses, so they may have the courage to pursue the cases and deliver judgment based on fairness and justice,” Gutierrez added.