24 people massacred in southern Philippines province; Myanmarese militia unit made into a border security battalion; Thailand and Cambodia reaffirm commitment to resolve border dispute through peaceful means; Indonesia signs MoU with Switzerland
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    • In one of the worst incidents of political violence in recent Philippines history, around 24 people were massacred when nearly 100 gunmen ambushed a caravan of political supporters of Ismael Mangudadatu, deputy mayor of Bulun town ship.1 Following the massacre, President Gloria Arroyo declared a state of emergency in two southern provinces. Amidst mounting pressure on the government to crack down on the perpetrators of the heinous crime, Andal Ampatuan Jr., a town mayor and prime suspect, turned himself in to authorities.2

    After failing in its efforts to persuade militant groups observing ceasefire to join the country’s border guard forces (BGF), reports noted that the military authorities had decided to accelerate the process of recruiting and forming militia units into battalions. Accordingly, a Lahu militia unit, active along the Mekong region, has been transformed into the Mekong border security battalion.3

    During a two-day defence-minister level meeting on November 26-27 at Pattaya, Thailand and Cambodia reaffirmed their commitment to resolve their border dispute only through peaceful means.4

    In other developments, Indonesia signed a MoU with Switzerland on November 26 for a joint economic and trade commission in an effort to strengthen bilateral economic ties. The volume of trade between the two countries reached $938.8 million in 2008, which was $229.7million more than the previous year.5

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