Ampatuan turns state witness in massacre case

MANILA, Philippines - Former Datu Salibo, Maguindanao Mayor Akmad Ampatuan, a suspect in the Nov. 23, 2009 Maguindanao massacre case who turned into prosecution witness, has been placed under the government’s Witness Protection Program (WPP), Justice Secretary Leila de Lima confirmed yesterday.

“He is under WPP. He is one of the major witnesses in the second wave of complaints,” she told reporters in an interview.

“He is a crucial witness that’s why we placed him under WPP,” she added.

Earlier, former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan, a principal accused in the multiple murder case before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221, offered to testify for the prosecution. But his bid was rejected by the Department of Justice for lack of qualification to become a state witness. 

De Lima said the WPP office would file the appropriate manifestation and motion before the Cotabato Regional Trial Court to inform them that he is under government protection. De Lima made the statement after the Cotabato RTC recently issued a warrant of arrest for Akmad over cases of arson and murder. 

Akmad is a close relative and a trusted man of Andal Ampatuan Sr., one of the principal suspects in the massacre case.

Akmad, along with two companions who are also witnesses, was ambushed last Nov. 18.