Human skeletons found near Ampatuan mansion

MANILA, Philippines - Human skeletons were dug up yesterday at a property owned by the Ampatuan clan in Maguindanao province, Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu said.

In an interview after yesterday’s hearing of the Maguindanao massacre multiple murder case, Mangudadatu said the skulls and skeletons were found “near the mansion of Andal Ampatuan Sr.” in Barangay Bagong, Shariff Aguak town. His wife and other relatives perished in the massacre.

“These could be bones of their (Ampatuans’) past victims in the (so-called) ‘chainsaw massacre,’” the Maguindanao governor said, referring to atrocities separate from the Nov. 23, 2009 murders.

According to Mangudadatu, they hope to turn up more evidence against the Ampatuans. He ordered yesterday digging operations at six properties owned by the Ampatuans in the province after securing search warrants from a court in Metro Manila.

Mangudadatu’s lawyer, Nena Santos, said their witness told them they may find firearms used in the Nov. 23, 2009 massacre in Ampatuan town.