Maguindanao massacre plot witness gets death threats

MANILA, Philippines - A former househelp of the Ampatuan clan who testified against several family members in the Maguindanao massacre trial has reportedly received death threats, a prosecution lawyer said yesterday.

Lawyer Nena Santos, legal counsel of Maguindanao Gov. Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu, said someone called Lakmodin Saliao last Wednesday to warn him against testifying in the trial. The threat, Santos alleged, came from “one of the principal suspects and masterminds” in the massacre case. At least seven prominent members of the Ampatuan clan are principal accused in the massacre, including patriarch Andal Ampatuan Sr. and his sons Zaldy, Andal Jr. and Sajid.

“The caller told him to stop what he was doing or suffer the same fate as Toto,” she said in a phone interview.

Santos said the caller, whom she did not identify, was referring to the Aug. 15 bomb attack on Mangudadatu in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat. Mangudadatu, whose wife and supporters were killed in the 2009 massacre, was leading a convoy of vehicles when a car bomb went off.

The blast killed Maguindanao provincial board member Datu Russman Sinsuat Sr. and a certain Rocky Pareñas. Sinsuat’s son, Russman Jr., was seriously wounded, along with several others. But Mangudadatu believes he is the target of the attack.

Santos said they consider the call to Saliao a death threat because “the final analysis on the bombing is that there was an intent to kill. So the call to Saliao only meant they will kill by whatever means.”

According to Santos, they already advised Saliao to change his number. This would be the second time he would do so, she added.

They also plan to ask Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes of Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221 to allow Saliao to testify on the threats he has been receiving. “We just want the judge to be aware of what’s happening outside the court room,” Santos said.