Mangudadatu seeks venue transfer for Tacurong blast case

 

In an interview with GMA News Online middle of this week, Mangudadatu expressed concern for the safety of the prosecutors who are handling the investigation.

 

"Kakausapin namin ang abugado ko na mag-file ng transfer of venue for security reasons," Mangudadatu said.

Prosecutor backs out At present, the preliminary investigation is being conducted in Tacurong City, where the bombing incident happened last August 15, coinciding with Mangudadatu's 43rd birthday.

 

Manugdadatu's transfer request was prompted by reports that the prosecutor handling the probe, who the governor didn't name, has backed out of the case.

 

"Nag-inhibit siya. Hindi din namin alam ang dahilan," Mangudadatu said, adding that the prosecutor could have been "threatened."

 

"May information naman akong ganun, na baka tinakot sila... Same people naman ang gumagawa ng ganyang pananakot kasi ayaw nila na madiin-diin sila," Mangudadatu said.

 

Mangudadatu earlier said the car bomb probably was a "birthday present" for him from his rivals and that he was the target of the attack. The blast killed his friend, Maguindanao board member Datu Russman Sinsuat Sr., and a tricycle driver in the area. Six others were hurt in the incident. 

 

Mangudadatu and the other victims were driving along the highway in a convoy and were supposed to go to a restaurant to celebrate the governor's birthday when the explosion happened.

 

Meeting with DOJ exec

 

Mangudadatu dropped by the Justice Department office in Manila last Wednesday and met with Justice Undersecretary Francisco Baraan III to get updates on the case.

 

Mangudadatu said that during the meeting, he also asked Baraan to immediately find a replacement for the prosecutor who backed out of the bombing case.

 

Mangudadatu also asked the DOJ no longer  to assign a local prosecutor but "designate somebody from the main office [in Manila] to handle the case."

 

He said the case is having "good progress" but added that "nabibitin nga lang talaga" because of the security concerns.

Suspects  

A suspect, Datu Karim Masdal, was arrested in August as he was fleeing from the scene.

 

Masdal is facing double murder and multiple frustrated murder charges, while a second suspect — Jay R. Reyes — remains at large. 

 

Masdal was seen alighting from the car, a Kia Avella, where the bomb was planted, the police said, citing witnesses interviewed after the blast.

 

Without giving any names, Mangudadatu in October last year told reporters at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City hinted that a "high-profile politician" masterminded the bombing attack.

 

Manugdadatu regularly attends hearings at Bagong Diwa for the Maguindanao massacre trial that stemmed from the killing of 57 people, including the governor's wife and two sisters, on Nov. 23, 2009.

 

The massacre was allegedly plotted and carried out by Mangudadatu's rival clan, the Ampatuans, who have since denied the allegations. Several members of the Ampatuan clan, including patriarch Andal Sr., are detained in connection with the massacre. — RSJ, GMA News