Andal Ampatuan Jr. denies hand in Maguindanao massacre

Andal Ampatuan Jr., the prime suspect in Monday's massacre of at least 57 people in Maguindanao province, on Thursday vehemently denied any involvement in the gruesome incident shortly after turning himself in to authorities for investigation. "Wala pong katotohanan yan (There is no truth to that)," Andal Jr. said in response when asked by GMA News' Jessica Soho to comment on allegations that he was behind the gruesome massacre of Buluan Vice Mayor Ismael Mangudadatu's relatives, aides, and many journalists. "Kaya po ako lumabas [ay] para patunayan na di ako nagtatago at di po ako guilty (I turned myself in to prove that I am not hiding and that I am not guilty)," he added. Andal Jr., the mayor of Datu Unsay town, turned himself over to authorities after the Philippine National Police tagged him as one of the suspects in the mass murder. He surrendered to Presidential adviser for Mindanao Affairs Jesus Dureza at the provincial capitol in Shariff Aguak and was brought by helicopter to General Santos City where he was to be handed over to Justice Sec. Agnes Devanadera. Andal Jr. was wearing denim pants, a leather jacket, and head gear with a Lacoste logo when he turned himself over to authorities. He is expected to be flown to Manila later in the day. PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa said earlier in the day that police have rounded up some suspects who are members of the Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit (Cafgu) and civilian volunteer organization. Verzosa also said the police have secured the compound of the Maguindanao provincial capitol in Shariff Aguak, and the town hall in Ampatuan town, which has jurisdiction over the massacre site at Sitio Masalay in Barangay Salman. - Johanna Sisante/RSJ/LG, GMANews.TV