130 new respondents named in Maguindanao multiple murder case

MANILA, Philippines - Police yesterday named 130 more respondents in their criminal complaint filed at the Department of Justice (DOJ) in connection with the massacre of 57 people in Maguindanao last Nov. 23.

Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera said most of them are members of the civilian volunteer organization (CVO) loyal to the Ampatuan clan and would undergo preliminary investigation for charges of multiple counts of murder under Article 248 of the Revised Penal Code.

She said the new respondents, who were identified by witnesses through file photos, took part in the carnage in various ways, but mostly by participating in the actual massacre.

So far, the police have identified a total of 183 suspects with only one of them, Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., indicted in court.

“It all started from having witnesses from among them. That’s the reason why we have positive identification as who were in the massacre,” Devanadera said, adding some respondents in the complaint are being considered by prosecutors as state witnesses.

She said that some respondents could also be indicted for rebellion.

The DOJ has set the hearing on the massacre case at 10 a.m. on Dec. 18 for the submission of the counter-affidavits of the respondents.

Among the respondents named in the complaint were former Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr., Shariff Aguak Vice Mayor Ulo Ampatuan, Salibo Vice Mayor Kanor Ampatuan, Shariff Aguak police auxiliary Tony Kenis Ampatuan, Abdullah Sangki, Muhamad Sangki, Tammy Masukat, Tumi Timba Abas, PO1 Abbey Guiadem, a certain Kumander Beri and a certain Dahutay.

Andal Jr. was also ordered to appear at the hearing even if he is already detained at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on a separate complaint for 25 counts of murder earlier filed by Buluan Vice Mayor Esmael Mangudadatu, whose wife Genalyn and two sisters were among those killed.

NBI Counter Terrorism Unit chief Ricardo Diaz said four new eyewitnesses have already executed sworn statements pointing to Andal Jr. as the one who “has total control of the situation.”

“Nobody can fire his gun without an order from Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr.,” Diaz said, emphasizing that the young Ampatuan was the lead actor in the carnage.

But while the testimonies of the new witnesses will definitely bolster the murder charges, Diaz said there is still a need for the testimonial evidence to be corroborated by forensic evidence.

CVOs gives up

As this developed, the police have taken into custody the chief of the Maguindanao Provincial Mobile Group who allegedly assisted Andal Jr. in abducting and murdering the 57 victims.

The PNP said Inspector Saudi Mokamad, director of the 1507th Police Mobil Group, surrendered at around 2 p.m. yesterday to officers of the Joint Security Coordinating Council.

Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao acting police director Senior Superintendent Bienvenido Latag, his deputy Senior Superintendent Sonny David and other officers went to General Santos City to pick up Mokamad.

Mokamad was staying at Gonzales Building on Pioneer Avenue in General Santos City along with his lawyer Emmanuel Fontanilla. He was taken to the headquarters of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Camp Lira, also in General Santos City.

At the same time, close to 200 fully armed CVOs believed to be under the employ of different warlords in Maguindanao have surrendered to government security forces.

Lt. Col. Michael Samson, spokesman of the military in the province, said that aside from the civilian armed volunteers, more than 1,000 high-powered firearms, the bulk of which are reportedly owned by the Ampatuans, have been accounted for in a series of warrantless raids.

Those who surrendered last Wednesday along with their firearms were 70 militiamen from Buluan town; 61 from Datu Piang on Thursday; 24 from Rajah Buayan also last Thursday and 14 from Talayan yesterday.

The group presented leaflets earlier dropped by Air Force planes and helicopters urging them to surrender. These leaflets also doubled as safe conduct passes for those who were willing to surrender.

The militiamen are now undergoing investigation and processing to find out if they were part of the more than 100 armed supporters of Andal Jr. who took part in the massacre.

Samson said that the probe is particularly centered on the 24 militiamen from Rajah Buayan.

AFP: Ambush was real

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), meanwhile, said yesterday that its campaign to disband the more than 2,000 armed supporters of the Ampatuans will continue despite claims by their detractors that the military could have been staging scenarios just to prolong the enforcement of martial law in the province.

Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner, AFP spokesman, said ground troops remain focused on their mission despite allegations of misconduct against them.

Latest intelligence reports showed that loyal armed supporters of the Ampatuans remained in three areas surrounding Maguindanao.

Several armed men ambushed Thursday evening in Shariff Aguak a police and Army convoy transporting seized guns and bullets to General Santos. – With Jaime Laude, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Sandy Araneta