Maguindanao massacre witness injured in South Cotabato ambush

A key witness in the Maguindanao massacre trial was hurt in an ambush in South Cotabato on Wednesday morning.

Mohamad Sangki, his driver, and one security personnel from the Department of Justice's witness protection program were in Tantangan, South Cotabato on their way to the airport when they were ambushed, said Nena Santos, the lawyer of several families of the massacre victims.

Sangki did not sustain gunshot wounds but was injured due to the impact of the vehicle against two cottages [along the road], Santos said. The driver is "50/50 but prognosis is bad," she said.

She said they are now in a hospital in Koronadal City.

"The security was able to return fire, the assassins are now under police hot pursuit," Santos said.

"Very bold na ang gustong pumatay kay Mohamad... daylight and with DOJ WPP security pa," she said.

A report from the Police Regional Office XII said the driver, identified as Richard Escovilla, was dead on arrival. The other companion of Sangki was identified as Rey Fritch Pontanoza.

Police said the suspects are still unidentified.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said he will immediately order an investigation on the incident, adding that he is getting more details about it.

"Sangki is a vital witness in the second wave of prosecution for the Maguindanao massacre, and it is not far-fetched that his ambush today had something to do with the horrible case," Guevarra said in a message to reporters.

Known as the Philippines' worst case of election-related violence, the Maguindanao massacre claimed the lives of 58 people on November 23, 2009. 

Thirty-two of the victims were members of the media who had accompanied the group of Esmael "Toto" Mangudadatu's wife to cover the filing of his certificate of candidacy for the governor's post.

The massacre was also the single deadliest attack on the press since detailed records were kept, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.

After more than nine years of trial, Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes convicted several Ampatuans, including former Datu Unsay mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. and his brothers, Anwar, Sr. and Zaldy, of 57 out of 58 counts of murder last December.

The 58th count represented photojournalist Reynaldo "Bebot" Momay, whose body was never found. The court dismissed his family's claim for damages.

Several police officers were also found guilty of murder and sentenced to up to 40 years in prison. Others were found to have acted as accessories to the crime and sentenced to six to 10 years imprisonment.

Sajid Islam Ampatuan and dozens others were acquitted due to reasonable doubt. Sajid was the only son of Andal Ampatuan, Sr. who was cleared of multiple murder.— with Anna Felicia Bajo/LBG/RSJ, GMA News