MILF: No hand in attacks on Ampatuan mansions

Insisting it had nothing to gain from the act, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on Tuesday denied any hand in the alleged attacks on the mansions of the Ampatuan clan in Mindanao Sunday night. MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu scored police for making the MILF a scapegoat, saying they had kept their hands off the November 23 Maguindanao massacre involving the Ampatuans. "Nananaginip siguro ang mga tao riyan, ginagawang scapegoat ang MILF sa ganoong klaseng pangyayari (Our accusers are dreaming. They are making the MILF a scapegoat for what happened)," Kabalu said in an interview on dzXL radio. According to him, "Wala tayong makukuha riyan (We have nothing to gain from such attack). Separate grenade attacks targeted two mansions of the Ampatuan family Sunday night, just about the time when rumors that members of the clan are getting VIP treatment in detention. But police said those who launched grenade attacks on the mansions in Shariff Aguak and Datu Unsay towns, missed their mark. The first grenade landed at the back of a mosque inside the palatial home of Andal Ampatuan Sr. A second grenade landed beside a Petron gas station near the mansion of Andal Jr. No one was hurt in the twin incidents. No military report Members of the Ampatuan clan were linked to the massacre of at least 57 people, including some 30 journalists, in Ampatuan town on Nov. 23 last year. Acting Maguindanao police chief Senior Superintendent Alex Lenesis said MILF guerrillas who were out to get even with the Ampatuans might have masterminded the assaults. But Colonel Benito de Leon, commander of the Philippine Army's 104th Brigade, said the military has not received reports on the alleged attacks. Instead, he said they have been informed that a five-minute clash between government forces and outlaws ensued "just outside" the Ampatuan residence in the Poblacion of Shariff Aguak about 9:40 p.m. at last Sunday. De Leon said the clash took place "very close" to the Ampatuan property, but he could not tell what group engaged the government forces as there were several gangs there waiting to for their chance to "loot" the almost 10,000-square-meter palatial residence of the powerful clan. Mangudadatu favors Crame detention Buluan town Vice Mayor Ismael Mangudadatu favored a suggestion to have the suspects in the Maguindanao massacre moved to Philippine National Police headquarters in Camp Crame. Mangudadatu, who lost his wife Genalyn in the massacre, said the moving of the suspects to Crame will deter speculations of VIP treatment for the suspects. "Kung ako ang tatanungin mas makabubuti ito sa kaso. May malaking issue ng VIP treatment (If you ask me I am in favor of their transfer to Crame. VIP treatment for suspects is a major issue)," he said in an interview on dzXL radio. "Para maiwasan ang VIP treatment dapat ilipat yan sa Crame para mas marami makamasid (To prevent VIP treatment they should be transferred to Crame where they will be under tighter watch)," he added. The four detained members of the clan supposedly receiving VIP treatment at a police camp in General Santos City include suspended Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan; former Maguindanao acting governor Sajid; Shariff Aguak town mayor Anwar; and Maguindanao vice governor Akmad. - LBG/RSJ, GMANews.TV