Mangudadatu vows to continue fight vs. Maguindanao massacre suspects

MANILA, Philippines - Governor Esmael "Toto" Mangudadatu will not give up on his demand for justice even if he is the only complainant left against the masterminds of the Maguindanao massacre.

The Maguindanao governor believes that the trial on the gruesome killings will push through even if some families of the victims enter into a settlement with the Ampatuans.

"Hindi kami nawawalan ng pag-asa at ilalaban ko po ito kahit kami lang po ang maiiwan dito," Mangudadatu said in a radio interview.

He said the reported negotiation between some relatives of the massacre victims and the Ampatuans, assuming if it is true, will "not affect the aspect of the criminal case."

On Monday, private prosecutor Harry Roque revealed that the families of 14 massacre victims have signed a written authority last February for a "close associate of the Ampatuans" to negotiate a settlement with the accused.

Roque, chairman of the Center for International Law, represents the families of four of the 14 victims who allegedly signed the authority for negotiation.

The lawyer urged the government to provide compensation to the victims' families so they may resist any settlement offered by the accused.

“Unless the Philippine government complies with its duty to pay compensation, the victims will continuously be tempted with schemes that may eventually cause a miscarriage of justice," said Roque, who has yet to talk with the families of the victims.

He said he will go to Maguindanao to meet with the victims’ families. Related story: Kin of 14 massacre victims negotiating with Ampatuans

At least 58 people, including 32 members of the media, were killed in the infamous massacre in November 2009, considered as the single deadliest incident ever for journalists in history.

Also killed in the attack were Mangudadatu's wife Genalyn and his two sisters, lawyers and aides.

They were part of an electoral convoy that was on its way to file the certificate of candidacy of then Buluan vice mayor Mangudadatu, who was set to challenge a scion of the Ampatuan clan for the Maguindanao gubernatorial post.

The initial 197 suspects tagged in the massacre include members of the political family, including its patriarch former Maguindanao governor Andal Sr. and his sons Zaldy, Andal Jr., Anwar Sr. and Sajid Islam.