Mangudadatu admits witnessing Zaldy killing 2 men

MANILA, Philippines - Maguindanao Governor Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu on Wednesday testified having seen former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) governor Zaldy Ampatuan shooting dead two persons in Cotabato City in 1995.

 

Mangudadatu appeared before the sala of Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 221 Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes as a prosecution witness in the hearing of Ampatuan’s petition to post bail in connection with his involvement in the 2009 massacre in Maguindanao.

 

Manudadatu testified that the shooting incident happened at a gas station in Cotabato City.

 

“Magkasabay kaming pumunta sa isang Petron gas station sa Cotabato 1995 yun at dun ko siya nakitang bumaril at pumatay,” Mangudadatu said when asked by private prosecutor Prima Quinsayas on why he described Ampatuan his previous court testimony as an “influential and violent” person.

 

Mangudadatu said he had asked Ampatuan why he shot the victims. The former ARMM governor told him that the two men were their family’s political enemies.

 

“Sinabihan ko sya (Ampatuan) bakit mo binaril yan tapos umalis na ako pero tinawagan nya ako sa cellular phone ko, analog pa yung cellular phone noon at sabi n’ya bakit mo ako iniwan, kaya bumalik ako at tinanong ko uilt sya pero ang sagot niya, mga kalaban namin yan,” he said.

 

Speaking to reporters after the hearing at the Quezon City Jail Annex of the Metro Manila District Jail (MMDJ) in Camp Bagong Diwa, Bicutan, Taguig, Mangudadatu said he waited at the scene for the police to arrive and investigate the shooting but the police did not come. He said the shooting happened in daylight.

 

Mangudadatu also admitted not reporting the shooting to authorities for fear of his safety. He added that he did not know the identities of the two victims.

 

Meanwhile, Quinsayas said Mangudadatu’s testimony bolsters their case as it establishes a pattern of violence by the former ARMM governor.

 

“His testimony was meant to establish a pattern,” Quinsayas said.

 

Earlier, lead defense counsel Sigfrid Fortun tried to block Mangudadatu’s testimony on Ampatuan’s alleged violent behavior. However, Judge Solis-Reyes allowed Mangudadatu to testify.