Zaldy A. names GMA, 2 ex-officials as witnesses

MANILA, Philippines - Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and two former officials were submitted as witnesses for former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao governor Zaldy Ampatuan, who is being tried for the Nov. 23, 2009 Maguindanao massacre.

The three were among the 36 witnesses Ampatuan intends to present to debunk his involvement in the killings of 58 persons, most of them media practitioners and female relatives of then Buluan vice mayor Esmael Mangudadatu, who was running for Maguindanao governor.

This was the third time that Arroyo, former Local Water Utilities Administration head Prospero Pichay and former political adviser Gabby Claudio were submitted as witnesses for the Ampatuan clan.

The first two to submit their names were Ampatuan’s father and brother, Andal Sr. and Andal Jr.

Ampatuan will also ask for a copy of a video footage in Malacañang dated Nov. 23, 2009, the date when the crime was committed in Ampatuan town, Maguindanao.

Mangudadatu’s relatives were accompanying his wife, who was to file his certificate of candidacy, when they were flagged down by armed men, reportedly led by Andal Sr.

Ampatuan, who is detained in the Quezon City Jail Annex at Camp Bagong Diwa, was arraigned last week, three years after massacre.