Backhoe operator now in NBI custody, says he knew nothing

One of the operators of the backhoe that was reportedly used to dig the graves of the victims of the November 23 bloodbath in Ampatuan town, Maguindanao province surfaced on Monday to deny his involvement in the crime, and is now in government custody. In an interview with GMA News' Chino Gaston, Efren Macanas said that when he reported to work last Monday morning, the backhoe was no longer at the provincial capitol. Based on the information that he obtained, the machine was brought to Ampatuan town on Sunday Nov. 22 by his colleague, Hanid Delayudin. The report said Macanas voluntarily went to the headquarters of the Army's 27th Infantry Batallion on Monday. He is now under the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), which is expected to provide government protection for him and his family. "Pagpunta ko, wala na yung backhoe doon (The backhoe was no longer there when I reported to work)," Macanas said. Only Macanas and Delayuden are the authorized operators of the backhoe. Macanas nonetheless defended his colleague, saying it was possible that Delayuden simply followed orders because he was not capable of perpetrating such crime. Delayuden remains missing as of posting time.
Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesman Chief Supt. Leonardo Espina had earlier said that the backhoe, which was stamped with the name of Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr., was used to dig the graves where the vehicles and the bodies of the massacre victims were buried. The 57 victims included members of the Mangudadatu clan, the political rival of the Ampatuans, and at least 30 local-based journalists. They were about to register Buluan town Vice Mayor Ismael Mangudadatu as gubernatorial candidate for the province when they were intercepted by armed men allegedly led by Datu Unsay town Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. Their bullet-ridden bodies were later found in Sitio Masalay, Barangay Salman in Ampatuan town. The Ampatuans have denied involvement in the crime. – Aie Balagtas See/JV, GMANews.Tv