Mangudadatu wants ‘lookout bulletin’ vs new massacre suspects

MANILA, Philippines - The camp of Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu will ask the Department of Justice (DOJ) to issue a lookout bulletin against a new set of suspects charged in the Maguindanao massacre case.

In a text message to The STAR yesterday, Mangudadatu’s counsel Nena Santos said they will ask the DOJ to issue a lookout bulletin order “anytime soon.”

She added that they would file a request for a hold-departure order against them if a multiple murder case is filed before the Quezon City court handling the case.

A DOJ panel of prosecutors this week started the preliminary investigation on the second wave of charges against some 50 additional suspects, including Cotabato City administrator and former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao solicitor general Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi.

Other suspects charged include members of the Ampatuan clan, police officers and members of civilian volunteer organizations.

The case was filed on Jan. 6 by the massacre victims’ heirs with Maguindanao provincial prosecutor Tocod Ronda.

According to the complainants, the testimonies of several witnesses during the course of the trial at the Quezon City court revealed the alleged participation of several individuals who were not originally charged for the massacre.

“The witnesses presented in court have testified that several other persons who were not charged were involved in the planning, execution and cover-up of what is known as the worst election related massacre in the Philippine history,” read the complaint.

Santos said the preliminary investigation was later transferred to the DOJ, with assistant state prosecutor Niven Canlapan heading the panel.

Earlier, Guiani-Sayadi – sister of Cotabato City Mayor Japal Guiani Jr. – said she is ready to answer accusations against her. She hired the services of the Fortun Narvasa & Salazar (FNS) law firm to represent her.

The FNS law firm previously represented primary accused Andal Ampatuan Sr. and his sons Andal Jr. and Zaldy in the multiple murder case.

Guiani-Sayadi was the ARMM solicitor-general under then regional governor Zaldy at the time of the massacre.