Andal Jr. shot victims, made sure they were dead – witness

Andal Ampatuan Jr. allegedly insisted on doing some of the killing. According to a key witness, the suspected ringleader shot some massacre victims himself. And when a few still showed signs of life, he allegedly opened fire again.

The eyewitness, a member of Ampatuan's security at the time, added more bone-chilling detail to what happened last November 23 in Ampatuan town, Maguindanao. Andal Jr. also ordered his private army – believed to be members of the civilian volunteer organizations (CVOs) – “not to mind what they were doing" and continue shooting. This is according to PO1 Rainer Ebus, who claimed he was among Andal Jr.’s security detail. However, he denied shooting anyone. Ebus's account is among the latest to be cited by police as the government builds its case against the prime suspects, even as Congress debates martial law in Maguindanao. At least seven other Ampatuan clan members, including the patriarch Andal Sr., are in government custody. But only Andal Jr. has been identified as having been at the massacre site, a secluded hillside in Ampatuan. On Wednesday, Ebus’ statement was quoted by Senior Supt. Erickson Velasquez during a press conference conducted by Philippine National Police. “Ebus also claimed that he was present when Mayor Unsay Jr. [Andal Jr.] ordered that nobody among the CVOs and the police should mind what they were doing," said Velasquez, head investigator of the PNP’s Crime Investigation and Detection Group. “He personally shot all the victims, together with all the other people, specifically the CVOs, with them inside their vehicle." According to Ebus, some members of the Mangudadatu clan tried to escape after seeing Andal Jr. and Datu Kanor Ampatuan open fire at some of the victims. But the attempt was foiled. The Ampatuans’ private militia caught up with them and shot them. Some women belonging to the Mangudadatu clam were also killed inside their vehicle. Some victims were shot close-range in their mouths and heads, Velasquez added, citing Ebus’ affidavit. Some victims, especially the women, were also shot in the organs and their “vital organs were chopped by knives." After witnessing the incident, Ebus said he and his companions fled the scene and went inside a car. Ebus’ affidavit did not elaborate on who his companions were. “Matapos long masaksihan ang ginawang pamamaril ni Mayor Ampatuan Jr. at Datu Kanor kasama ng mga CVO, kami ay nagtago sa isang lugar at pumasok sa isang sasakyan," his affidavit said. 161 armed men involved in massacre At Wednesday’s press conference, PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa also disclosed that more than 100 men were involved. "We are now conducting arrests and we will be recommending a reward for any leads to the arrest of these persons — 161 in total. Reportedly, some of them joined rebellious forces that are now conducting rebellion in Maguindanao," Verzosa said. The CIDG presented photos of the CVO members they are looking for. Likewise, PNP-CIDG commander Chief Supt. Raul Castañeda said that the agency has recommended the submission of multiple murder charges against 61 John Does and Peter Does while 100 still unidentified CVO members are also facing multiple murder charges. It is still too early to conclude whether a conspiracy occurred and that the Datu Unsay mayor orchestrated one, Castañeda said, replying to a question regarding the matter. For his part, Verzosa assured that “there will be no whitewash on the investigation." RJAB Jr./ GMANews.TV