Maguindanao massacre witness: Andal Jr. led the killings

MANILA, Philippines – Former Datu Unsay mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. shot to death the people from the Mangudadatu convoy on a hill in Ampatuan town, Maguindanao, a witness told a Quezon City court today.

Akmad Abubakar Esmael, a farmer and resident of Brgy. Masalay, Ampatuan, testified that he saw Ampatuan leading the killing of 57 people, including several journalists, on the morning of Nov. 23, 2009.

"Sumigaw siya, 'Dapa!'" the witness quoted Andal Jr. as ordering the victims to lie face down on the ground.

Andal Jr. then ordered at least 100 gunmen to open fire at the victims, who were pleading for their lives.

Esmael, who was towing his carabao to the house of a certain Jainal on a hill when he witnessed the carnage, said he was about 20 meters from where the shooting occurred.

He told Quezon City Regional Trial Court Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes that Andal Jr. wore a hat and hand gloves, and was carrying an assault rifle when he shot the victims.

The witness also described the gunmen as wearing camouflaged uniforms usually worn by military personnel.

Esmael, the third witness presented by state prosecutors, said the shooting lasted for more than hour.

He said he was merely spared by one of the Cafgu members he only identified as Datu Not when some of the gunmen threatened to kill him.

He added that he hid for four hours behind tall grasses 200 meters from the place before leaving the area to avoid being seen by other armed men.