Mangudadatu faces murder rap too over killing of 'assassin'

Like his rival Datu Unsay Andal Ampatuan Jr., Buluan vice mayor and now Maguindanao gubernatorial candidate Esmael "Toto" Mangudadatu has gotten his own share of murder raps arising from what he claims as an assassination attempt against him on Thursday. Filing murder charges against Mangudadatu was Natividad Kamendan, wife of Tamano Kagi Kamendan (not “Tamano Camalindan" as earlier reported). Kamendan, the alleged "hitman" of the Ampatuans, was gunned down after allegedly attacking the vice mayor in a Davao City mall. Also included as respondents in the complaint were Mangudadatu's two police escorts, PO1 Ibrahem Langalen and PO1 Surab Bantas. Mangudadatu was shopping with his two daughters at the Gaisano Mall in Davao City on Thursday when, according to him, Kamendan reportedly lunged at their group and tried to grab the gun of one of the vice mayor's security escorts. Kamendan and Mangudadatu’s bodyguard reportedly grappled with the gun until the alleged Ampatuan hitman was shot, killing him on the spot. Mangudadatu and his daughters emerged unhurt after the attack. Kamendan, 41, is also reportedly a nephew of suspended Maguindanao Governor Andal Ampatuan Sr, who is among the 197 people charged with murder in connection with the November 23 massacre. 'Shoot him' Based however on the account of Kamendan’s wife Natividad, who said she was with her husband when the shooting happened, Kamendan did not attack Mangudadatu. In an affidavit-complaint she filed before the Davao City Prosecutor's Office, Natividad said she and her husband were also shopping at the same mall when they chanced upon Mangudadatu. The Buluan vice mayor then spoke with Kamendan and asked him in Maguindanawon, "Where is your boss?" To which, Tamano replied, "I am no longer going there." After the exchange, the couple bid Mangudadatu goodbye but, in the words of Natividad, "I heard Datu Toto Mangudadatu said 'Tem bak nu den,' which means 'Shoot him.'" Kamendan died due to the gunshot wound he sustained while Natividad was brought to the precinct for questioning. GMANews.TV tried to reach Mangudadatu to get his reaction but calls remained unanswered. A radio dzMM report, however, quoted Mangudadatu as saying his lawyers are already preparing to answer the charges hurled against him. In the meantime, Mangudadatu’s two bodyguards are currently in the custody of the Davao City police.—Mark Merueñas/JV, GMANews.TV