Ampatuan deaths could be most tragic for Muslim royal clans

COTABATO CITY – The two recent violent incidents that resulted in the deaths of two sons of Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan could be the most tragic episode in the checkered and bloodstained history of the Muslim royalty in the second district of the province.

Ampatuan’s son, Datu Saudi, 37, mayor of Datu Piang town, was killed in Tuesday’s bomb explosion in the town proper of Datu Piang, just three days after his younger brother, Datu Hofer, died in a shootout triggered by a verbal tussle during a bikini competition in a hotel here.

The Ampatuans descended from an Arab shariff (preacher) from what is now Yemen, who propagated Islam in Maguindanao’s raya or upstream communities, which now comprise the vote-rich second district of the province.

According to contemporary historians, the Ampatuans, although long recognized as one of Maguindanao’s royal clans, started to gain political influence after World War II, following the creation of the adjoining Maganoy (now Shariff Aguak) and Ampatuan towns.

The datus from the Paglas, Pendatun, Matalam, Ampatuan, Otto, Mangudadatu, Piang and Sangki clans in the second district of Maguindanao were known warriors, who readily provided military support to their counterparts in the ilod or downstream communities, when the Maguindanaoans resisted Spanish, American and Japanese domination.

The Masturas, who descended from Sultan Kudarat, the Sinsuats and a dozen other clans in Kabuntalan and nearby towns governed the downstream areas.

Ampatuan militia

Since the 19th century, the Ampatuans had been known to keep a strong militia, which helped perpetuate the leadership of the legendary Datu Otto, who once ruled the raya area and fought wars with other datus in Central Mindanao.

Gov. Ampatuan first rose to political prominence as mayor of his hometown of Shariff Aguak in the early 1980s, and has since been known for his iron-fisted policy in dealing with lawless elements in his municipality.

His son, Datu Zaldy, was elected member of the Regional Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in 1993.

During the 1995 local elections, a group of equally influential datus formed a political alliance and pitted someone to contest the re-election bid of Ampatuan who, however, won the polls with an overwhelming margin.

Many of Ampatuan’s bailiwicks in Shariff Aguak then were raided by rival forces, which even torched more than a hundred houses of his followers. The municipal hall of Shariff Aguak was twice shelled with an 81-mm mortar on election day, leaving three soldiers dead and more than a dozen other people injured.

After the 1995 elections, Datu Zaldy survived an attack by two gunmen belonging to a rival clan while on his way home from the ARMM legislative office in Cotabato City. Responding policemen killed the two men.

In 1998, Datu Zaldy ran for mayor of Shariff Aguak and won, replacing his father who had served three consecutive terms. But even before Datu Zaldy could assume his post, unidentified men burned down the town hall.

Baptism of fire

Datu Zaldy’s slain brother, Datu Saudi, was elected mayor of Datu Piang in 1995 following a race marred by shellings on his residence and on the canvassing site.

The spate of violence forced the Commission on Elections to continue the tabulations at the Cotabato City State Polytechnic College, which was also rocked by two grenade explosions immediately after Datu Saudi was proclaimed winner.

Gov. Ampatuan himself was ambushed thrice by suspected secessionist rebels last year.

The Ampatuans believe that Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels were responsible for the bomb blast that killed Datu Saudi and 15 others, including the governor’s son-in-law, the municipal treasurer of Datu Piang and the husband of Datu Saudi’s younger sister.

The clan is known for being supportive of the government’s campaign against secessionist forces in Maguindanao.

Engineer Norie Unas, the provincial administrator, said the Ampatuans would still push ahead with their agenda of peace and sustainable development in the province despite the violent deaths of Datus Saudi and Hofer.

"The Ampatuan family is aware that only by governance can they change the image of the province as a hotbed of violent clan wars and religious fundamentalism," Unas said.