Another suspect in Ampatuan massacre brought to Manila

Mohamad Datumanong, 22, was transferred from Cotabato to Manila on Thursday to face multiple charges for the murder of at least 57 people in Maguindanao last November 23. Datumanong was brought to Manila by the Philippine National Police (PNP) after his arrest last August 29 at Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao. (Click here for photo of Mohamad Datumanong under arrest.) He was arrested reportedly while undergoing training, under an alias, for the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (Cafgu) under the supervision of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). Also facing charges for their involvement in the massacre in Ampatuan town, Maguindanao massacre — in which the list of victims included pregnant women and journalists — are members of the powerful Ampatuan clan, including patriarch Andal Ampatuan Sr. and his son, Andal Jr. There are a total of 196 suspects, including local policemen and suspected members of the Ampatuans’ private army. The case is now pending before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221.—Larissa Mae Suarez/JV, GMANews.TV