Ampatuan patriarch headed for first poll loss

SHARIFF AGUAK, Maguindanao, Philippines – The former governor of Maguindanao who once ruled the province with an iron fist and “zero tolerance” for political opposition seems headed for his first defeat.

Former governor Andal Ampatuan Sr., detained over the massacre of 57 people in the province last year, is trailing Dustin Mastura in the vice gubernatorial race.

Mastura is the eldest son of Michael Mastura, a historian-lawyer and a senior member of the peace panel of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Mastura’s running mate, Buluan Vice Mayor Esmael Mangudadatu, is leading the gubernatorial race in the province against Datu Odin Mayor Ombra Sinsuat and Guindulugan Mayor Midpantao Midtimbang.

Mangudadatu, whose wife and relatives were among those killed in last year’s Maguindanao massacre principally blamed on the Ampatuans, is leading by a small margin over Sinsuat, based on the initial tally.

Mangudadatu’s wife, Jenalyn, led a convoy of supporters on their way to the provincial capitol to file his certificate of candidacy when a group of gunmen, allegedly led by Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., hijacked and shot all the 57 people in the convoy.