17 more Ampatuans on wanted list

After the arrest of a grandson of former Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr., 17 more members of the clan linked to the Maguindanao massacre are still among the 94 wanted for the worst crime in Philippine history.

Records obtained by The STAR showed that the 17 members of Ampatuans include former mayors Banjarin Ampatuan and Saudi Ampatuan Jr., former vice mayor Kanor Ampatuan and rookie Police Officer 1 Alfie Pagabangan.

Six other relatives of the Ampatuans implicated in the crime were Harris, Ipi, Kagi Amar, Mama, Moning, and Tony Kenis, all surnamed Ampatuans.

Other fugitives said to be relatives of the Ampatuans, include Nasser Adam, Hadji Mogira Angulat, Hamid Delayudin, Jagi Faizal, Parido Zangkala Gogo, Tammy Masukat, and Jun Pendatun.

Last week, police arrested Sajid Anwar Ampatuan Jr., alias “Datu Ulo” by virtue of the warrant of arrest issued by Quezon City Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes of Branch 221.

Sajid will be arraigned today for 57 counts of murder.

Some of the accused in the gruesome massacre of 57 persons in the Nov. 23, 2009 have joined the bandits in the mountains to avoid detection.

Former Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. allegedly led about 200 members of the civilian volunteer organization in stopping a convoy carrying supporters of a political rival and journalists in Maguindanao on Nov. 23. The Ampatuans denied the charges.

Members of the clan that are already locked up include Andal Sr., Andal Jr., former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Gov. Zaldy, former Mayor Anwar, Kagi Akmad, and Sajid.

Other detained members of the Ampatuans include Norodin Datumanong Ampatuan, and Tumi Timba Abas.

Police are also hunting 84 accused – mostly CVO members who acted as private armed groups of the Ampatuans.