Ampatuan lawyers to grill witness

MANILA, Philippines - The prosecution witness in Maguindanao massacre who was threatened in open court last week will come back today for cross-examination.

Esmael Kanapia is expected to be grilled first by lawyer Sigfrid Fortun, who represents prime massacre suspects Andal Ampatuan Sr. and son Andal Jr.

Last week, Kanapia identified Andal Jr. and 20 others accused of participating in the massacre.

One of them, Jerry Utto, uttered threats in Maguindanaoan after Kanapia pinpointed him. Kanapia said Utto got “angry” and told him he “would never gain his freedom.”

The defense camp has opposed the presentation of Kanapia, saying the prosecutors have already presented several eye witnesses.

According to Kanapia, he saw Andal Jr. ordering someone to bring the backhoe so they can bury the victims and their cars. Fifty-seven persons, mostly members of media and relatives of Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu, were killed in the Nov. 23, 2009 bloodbath.