Mangudadatu 'lies low' after roadside bomb found

Maguindanao Gov. Esmael "Toto" Mangudadatu admitted on Wednesday he remains unsure whether he was the real target of a possible foiled bomb attack in Maguindanao last week, but for now is avoiding trips especially plying the highway where the explosive device was found. Last Monday, the local military was alerted after residents discovered a bomb in Talayan town along the highway. Authorities defused the bomb, which was reportedly made from two mortar shells and intended for Mangudadatu. Mangudadatu said he used to frequent the highway during his trips in the province for a medical mission or whenever the local government distributes agricultural products to his constituents. "Naglie-low na ako sa medical mission ko na sunud-sunod. Iyong administrator ko na lang pinapunta ko," the governor said. (I lay low from my series of medical missions, and sent my administrator instead.) Mangudadatu said he has already directed Senior Superintendent Marcelo Pintac, Maguindanao provincial police director, to investigate the incident. "Hopefully, we get investigation results next week," he said. The alleged bomb threat against Mangudadatu was the latest among a series of threats against relatives of the victims and witnesses in the Ampatuan multiple murder case, since the trial began in January. Probably the worst such incident occurred in June, when prospective prosecution witness Suwaib Upham — a self-confessed gunman in the massacre — was killed after failing to be admitted to the government’s Witness Protection Program.—Mark D. Merueñas/JV, GMANews.TV