Zaldy denies tagging Andal Jr. in massacre

MANILA, Philippines - Former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) governor Zaldy Ampatuan yesterday denied allegations that he had tagged his younger brother Andal Jr. as the brains behind the Maguindanao massacre.

Through defense counsel Redemberto Villanueva, Zaldy said the testimony of their former house helper Lakmudin Saliao that he had mentioned the possibility of Andal Jr. being behind the gruesome massacre was fabricated.

Zaldy maintained that he was not aware of the massacre since he was at Malacañang in a dinner meeting with then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo at that time.

“How can he tag his brother when he does not know anything about the massacre because he was in Manila attending a meeting at the Palace on Nov. 23, 2009?” Villanueva asked.

Villanueva said the late Press Secretary Cerge Remonde even mentioned Zaldy as among the local officials who were attending the meeting with Arroyo during a radio interview several days after the massacre occurred.

Villanueva said even Arroyo could vouch for Zaldy’s presence.

Villanueva stressed that his client still cannot believe his indictment for the massacre.

“To those who know him, particularly his friends and family members, Zaldy was always known as the gentle and kinder Ampatuan who is loving to his family, a doting father, a good husband and a religious man being a hadj who made his pilgrim trips to Mecca,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Department of Justice (DOJ) welcomed the move of the Supreme Court to lighten the load of Quezon City Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes to enable her to focus more on the Maguindanao massacre trial.

The SC has assigned two assistant judges to her sala to preside over the other cases being handled by Reyes.

“We are pleased about that development, and we expect more initiatives from the Supreme Court,” Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said.