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Maguindanao massacre suspect Sajid Ampatuan back in hometown —Gov. Mangudadatu
By FERDINANDH CABRERA
(Updated 11:13 a.m.) COTABATO CITY – Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Toto Mangudadatu revealed Thursday that Sajid Ampatuan, one of the suspects in the 2009 Maguindanao massacre who posted bail for temporary liberty, was back in Cotabato City and in Maguindanao.
While obviously dismayed with the court’s decision to allow Ampatuan to post bail, Mangudadatu stressed he respects the decision of Judge Jocelyn Reyes whose sala is conducting the trial of the massacre suspects.
The governor said he is determining how Sajid was able to raise the money to post bail. Sajid posted bail of P11.6 million or P200,000 each for the 58 cases filed against him.
“Sajid was back here in Cotabato and Maguindanao. That’s how strong influence works but that is only temporary liberty,” Mangudadatu said, adding he has high regard for Judge Reyes’ honesty, sincerity and integrity.
Mangudadatu said he still believes in the country’s justice system as the prosecution is set to present more evidences that will pin down the brains behind the country’s worst election related violence, killing 58 persons, more than half of whom were journalists, in November 2009.
Monday marks the 76th month anniversary of the massacre.
He also expressed confidence former Mayor Akmad Ampatuan, a close kin of prime suspect Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr., will continue turning state witness in the massacre.
Akmad Ampatuan was arrested in Makati City on Wednesday for another case he was accused of.
Mangudadatu said the case involving Akmad Ampatuan was dated 1998 and that the case has been shelved after the wife of the complainant filed an affidavit of desistance.
According to Mangudadatu, Akmad Ampatuan had been with the Witness Protection Program of the Department of Justice at the time of his arrest.
In the same interview, Mangudadatu confirmed the findings of the DOJ that among those who fought against the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force commandos in Mamasapano, Maguindanao on January 25 this year were followers of former Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr.
On Saturday, the Armed Forces of the Philippines confirmed the involvement of the private armed group of Andal Ampatuan Sr. in the Mamasapano encounter. —KG, GMA News
While obviously dismayed with the court’s decision to allow Ampatuan to post bail, Mangudadatu stressed he respects the decision of Judge Jocelyn Reyes whose sala is conducting the trial of the massacre suspects.
The governor said he is determining how Sajid was able to raise the money to post bail. Sajid posted bail of P11.6 million or P200,000 each for the 58 cases filed against him.
“Sajid was back here in Cotabato and Maguindanao. That’s how strong influence works but that is only temporary liberty,” Mangudadatu said, adding he has high regard for Judge Reyes’ honesty, sincerity and integrity.
Mangudadatu said he still believes in the country’s justice system as the prosecution is set to present more evidences that will pin down the brains behind the country’s worst election related violence, killing 58 persons, more than half of whom were journalists, in November 2009.
Monday marks the 76th month anniversary of the massacre.
He also expressed confidence former Mayor Akmad Ampatuan, a close kin of prime suspect Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr., will continue turning state witness in the massacre.
Akmad Ampatuan was arrested in Makati City on Wednesday for another case he was accused of.
Mangudadatu said the case involving Akmad Ampatuan was dated 1998 and that the case has been shelved after the wife of the complainant filed an affidavit of desistance.
According to Mangudadatu, Akmad Ampatuan had been with the Witness Protection Program of the Department of Justice at the time of his arrest.
In the same interview, Mangudadatu confirmed the findings of the DOJ that among those who fought against the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force commandos in Mamasapano, Maguindanao on January 25 this year were followers of former Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr.
On Saturday, the Armed Forces of the Philippines confirmed the involvement of the private armed group of Andal Ampatuan Sr. in the Mamasapano encounter. —KG, GMA News
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