Principal suspect of Philippine massacre denies involvement
- Source: Global Times
- [16:11 November 27 2009]
- Comments
Maguindanao Massacre suspect Andal Ampatuan Jr. (R) speaks with his lawyer in detention in a National Bureau of Investigation cell in Manila, capital of Philippines, Nov. 26, 2009. Photo: Xinhua
Andal Ampatuan Jr., the principal suspect of Monday's election-related massacre of 57 people in Maguindanao province, the Philippines, claimed Thursday in Manila that he is innocent and pinned the blame on Umbra Kato, a rebel commander wanted by Philippine authorities.
Prosecutors in the Philippines charged seven counts of murder against Ampatuan, who is currently detained at the National Bureau of Investigation headquarters in Manila after surrendering to authorities Thursday.
But he denied any involvement in the killings. He pointed to Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) commander Kato as the mastermind of the Maguindanao massacre.
"The reason I came out is to prove that I am not hiding and that I am not guilty," Ampatuan said.
The MILF, a moderate anti-government group, slammed the Datu Unsay mayor's claim, saying that it is a "clear attempt to divert the issue."
Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera also said there is no evidence of rebel involvement.
A witness told Al Jazeera that Ampatuan had ordered the gunmen to kill all the members of a rival political clan. "Andal himself said… anyone from the Mangudadatu clan – women or children – should be killed," he said.
Buluan vice-mayor Esmael Mangudadatu, who filed his certificate of candidacy for Maguindanao governor Friday, asserted that more members of the Ampatuan clan were guilty and should be detained, according to a local media. Mangudadatu's wife and relatives were killed en route to file an election certificate nominating Esmael for governorship in the May 2010 election.
Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno said all local officials in Maguindanao should be suspended for suspicion of involvement and provincial police are also at fault for the premeditated massacre, which led to the deaths of 57 people, including 27 journalists and 10 passers-by who happened to witness the mass killings.
Philippine Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago also found fault in local officials and police, saying, "Under the Anti-Terrorism Act or the Human Security Act of 2007, they should have conducted surveillance because even the civilians knew about an impending catastrophic disaster."
