DOJ recommends multiple murder raps vs Ampatuan Jr

Confident that they have enough evidence to nail him, state prosecutors have recommended the filing of multiple murder charges against Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. for the mass killing of 57 people in Ampatuan town, Maguindanao province last Monday, even as they placed eight other Ampatuan clansmen on the immigration watchlist. In a resolution, the Department of Justice has recommended the filing of at least seven counts of murder against Ampatuan. Acting Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera said this could still be augmented in the coming days as other testimonies have yet to be processed. “At the very least, we have established that he was at the scene of the crime," Devanadera said. "Siya yung nagbibigay ng instruction, siya yung kasama sa pagharang, siya kasama dun sa pagpatay ng mga biktima na ito (He was the one giving instructions, he was there at the road block, he was there when the victims were killed)." But the charges would not be filed against Ampatuan until Tuesday, or three days after the 36-hour deadline to determine if there was probable cause to indict him has lapsed. Devanadera explained the delay was due to the Muslim world’s celebration of the Eid Al-Adha or their Festival of the Sacrifice. “I don’t think there will be a technicality because this delay is not of our own doing. We were not aware that it was going to be a holiday today. So he shall continue to be detained and his (Ampatuan’s) indictment will be pursued," she said.
'Strongest evidence' Devenadera said the government’s strongest evidence against Ampatuan Jr. was the affidavit executed by Buluan vice mayor Ismael Mangudadatu, the suspect's presumptive political rival for Maguindanao's gubernatorial post next year, and the testimonies of certain eyewitnesses. “Why do I say that they are eyewitnesses? It’s because they are among those who participated in the killings," Devanadera said. In his testimony, Mangudadatu narrated the conversation he had with his wife, Genalyn, who informed him that she and her entourage was intercepted by Ampatuan and his men while the convoy was on its way to file his certificate of candidacy at Shariff Aguak. About five hours later, their bullet ridden bodies were found in Barangay (village) Salman in Ampatuan town. Watchlist At the same time, eight more men from the powerful Ampatuan clan are now being considered as suspects in the killing, said Devanadera. These include Maguindanao Governor Andal Ampatuan Sr., Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan, Nords Ampatuan, Akmad Ampatuan, Saudi Ampatuan Jr., Bahnarian Ampatuan, Sajid Islam Ampatuan, and Akmad “Tato" Ampatuan. They were also placed under the Bureau of Immigration's (BI) watchlist and would be invited for further questioning, said Devanadera. BI Commissioner Marcelino Libanan said the Ampatuans were barred from leaving the country in order not to frustrate the government's investigation. “We are appalled by the shocking disregard for human life that was shown on the Maguindanao Massacre, and we want the help avoid any delay in the investigations," Libanan stated. They would remain in the watchlist for a 60-day period unless the period was terminated or extended, he added. - Aie Balagtas See/JV, GMANews.TV