March 12, 2010 - A fish vendor was held-up Thursday night, March 10, at around 11:00pm along the national highway in the municipality of Datu Unsay by seven armed men, despite the heavy presence of troops of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

According to the victim, Sadat Dagadas, a fish vendor of Upi, Maguindanao, their fish car was going to General Santos City to purchase fresh fish, but upon the vicinity of Datu Unsay town in Maguindanao their vehicle was flagged down by the holduppers, and the victim, and his driver and helpers to a secluded area along the highway and divested them of their cash of more than one hundred thousands pesos and other valuables.

The scene of the crime is about a kilometer from where the infamous Maguindanao Massacre happened on November 23, 2009 where 65 civilians including about 30 media men and women were butchered by suspected henchmen of the Ampatuan patriarch, Datu Andal Ampatuan.

"Hindi pa ligtas ang dumaraan dito kahit napakamaraming sundalo sa daan" (It is not yet safe to pass the highway, despite the presence of AFP), quipped by businessman of Cotabato City.