28 suspects plead not guilty in Maguindanao massacre

MANILA, Philippines - Another 28 suspects, most of them policemen, pleaded not guilty yesterday to charges of killing 57 people in Maguindanao last year.

Forty-nine people have now been arraigned in the Maguindanao massacre.

The defendants, appearing in handcuffs before a Manila court, denied involvement in the Nov. 23, 2009 murders.

Fifty people, including prime suspect Andal Ampatuan Jr., police and members of his clan’s private army, are now on trial.

Harry Roque, a lawyer representing the families of some victims, welcomed the start of trial of the latest defendants.

Of those arraigned today, 27 of them are policemen, and one, Samaon Andatua, is an alleged member of the Ampatuan clan’s militia.

The policemen are: Senior Police Officer 2 George Labayan; Senior Police Officers 1 Ali Solano, Eduardo Ong, Alimola Guianon, Elizer Rendaje, and Samaud Maguindara; Police Officers 3 Gibrael Alano, Felix Enate Jr., Ricky Balanueco and Felix Daquilos; Police Officers 2 Rexzon Guiama and Kendatu Rakim; and Police Officers 1 Bersedick Alfonso, Jimmy Kadtong, Abdurahman Batarasa, Datu Jerry Utto, Abdulbayan Mundas, Marjul Julkadi, Abdulmanan Saavedra, Pendatun Dima, Ebara Bebot, Amir Solaiman, Tamano Hadi, Marsman Nilong, Badjun Panegas, Midrael Macarongan Balading.

Thirty-five accused should have been arraigned yesterday. However, the defense moved for the deferment of the arraignment of Jimmy Ampatuan, Jonathan Ampatuan, Norman Taktak, Macton Bilungan, Armando Ambalgan, Senior Police Officer 1 Oscar Donato, and Police Officer 1 Abdullah Baguadatu.

Witness: Some victims shot in their cars

Principal accused Andal Ampatuan Jr. shot some victims inside their cars as the others were lined up outside for the firing squad, a witness told the court yesterday.

In his testimony, Police Officer 1 Rainer Ebus said Andal Jr. had killed 40 people after the shooting ended.

Two days after, Andal Jr. said: “Tomorrow, you’ll see me on TV,” he added.

Ebus, a security aide of Andal Jr. and the prosecution’s fifth witness, said the carnage started on the hilly portion of Sitio Masalay, Barangay Salman in Ampatuan town.

“More or less 10 persons were asked to alight from their vehicles and then Mayor Unsay fired shots at them,” he said.

“When some of the male victims saw (that their companions were being shot) two of them jumped off from the van, leaving the women inside.”

Ebus said those who tried to escape were met with gunfire from a police officer and a member of Ampatuan’s militiamen.

“The women who were left inside the van wailed and that’s where Unsay shot them using an MK3,” he said.

Ebus said he was six to seven meters away from Andal Jr. and saw him, accompanied by Kanor and Bahnarin Ampatuan, shoot the victims.

Badal and driver Digo Nasser were among those at the crime scene, he added.

Ebus is one of the 196 accused in the Maguindanao massacre.

Yesterday’s hearing was about his motion to be discharged to become a state witness.

Ebus said he decided to testify against Andal Jr. because he wanted to tell the truth.

“And what is the truth?” asked prosecutor Rosanne Balauag.

“That Andal Jr., his men, and Datu Kanor killed the people,” Ebus replied.

Ebus, 33, is part of Andal Jr.’s 11-man security team comprised of police and the military.

He was a driver for Andal Jr.’s son Aguak before the former mayor appointed him a policeman on Dec. 14, 2006.

After his training, Ebus was assigned to the 15th Regional Mobile Group and then became part of the security detail.

Ebus said he always accompanied Andal Jr. wherever he goes, except when he visits Metro Manila.