CIDG arrests barangay chairman for alleged role in Maguindanao massacre

Members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) has arrested a barangay chairman for his alleged role in the Maguindanao Massacre which happened in 2009.

The CIDG identified the suspect as Datu Harris Ampatuan Macapendeng, the chairman of Barangay Tuayan in Datu Hoffer town.

He was arrested by members of the CIDG Maguindanao Field Unit on Wednesday afternoon at the BARMM compound in Cotabato City.

A reward of P300,000 had been offered for Macapendeng's arrest.

Authorities served the warrant of arrest for 43 counts of murder issued by Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes of Branch 221 of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Quezon City.

The CIDG said Macapendeng was part of the Ampatuan private army and was among those who attended the meetings where the masterminds planned the massacre which killed 58 people November 23, 2009.

“The arrest of Macapendeng is a confirmation that the law and justice never sleep. In whatever condition is ready to step up and enforce the law so that offenders will be held accountable and justice is served for the grieving victims and their families,” the CIDG said.

On November 23, 2009, armed men abducted the relatives and supporters of Maguindanao gubernatorial candidate Esmael Mangudadatu who were on their way to file his candidacy, forced them up a remote hill where they were shot and killed.

Fifty-eight people died, 32 of them members of the media who had accompanied Mangudadatu's camp to cover the candidacy filing. Six of the victims were not part of the convoy at all.

Dozens have been convicted for the multiple murders on December 19, 2019.

They including former Datu Unsay mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao governor Zaldy Ampatuan, Anwar Ampatuan Sr., Anwar "Ipi" Ampatuan Jr., and Anwar Sajid "Ulo" Ampatuan, and several police officers, in December 2019. —NB, GMA News