Aquino: Zaldy Ampatuan sent emissary to offer testimony

(Updated 3:40 p.m.) The camp of Zaldy Ampatuan, a key suspect in the Maguindanao massacre case, has sent an emissary to President Benigno Aquino III to offer the latter’s testimony against his father and brothers who are also implicated in the case. “The emissary that I have talked to, he is offering all of these evidence or his testimony without any consideration being asked for," Aquino told reporters at a press briefing Tuesday after the distribution of social services in Capiz province. Aquino said he then ordered his staff to assess Zaldy’s offer. “I have tasked individuals to assess exactly what he has to offer and whether or not it meets the criteria," he said. Aquino believed Zaldy did not ask to become a state witness but was only offering his testimony. “Let me just be clear, the way I understood it in the media I understand he wants to turn state witness and that might have been coined by some reporters. But state witness kasi engenders immunity from suit, dropping from the charges and there is no such request from him," he said. The President said Zaldy did not offer anything in exchange for the information he will give. “Walang siyang hinihingi na kapalit… his offer does not contain any of that. He wants to impart I understand, I never talked to him, he wants to impart all of these evidence. Huwag lang siya bigyan ng undue interest," he said. In Malacañang, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said they are looking into the possible testimony of Zaldy. This, even as the Department of Justice (DOJ) has already rejected the idea of turning Zaldy, suspended governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), into a state witness. At a press briefing Tuesday, pLacierda said they want to know “what particular evidence he (Zaldy) can offer to us." “We’re after the truth and we’d like this case to be prosecuted expeditiously," he said. “If there’s any testimony that can help us further the truth and enlighten what really happened during that day, that’s the reason we’re looking at the testimony of Zaldy Ampatuan." Among those charged in the high profile case are Zaldy’s father, Andal Ampatuan Sr., and brothers Andal Jr. and Sajid, as well as dozens of members of their private army. They are accused of killing 57 people in Ampatuan town, Maguindanao, on Nov. 23, 2009. In an interview inside his cell in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City aired on GMA News’ “24 Oras" Tuesday, Zaldy said he is ready to testify against anyone in order to clear his name. He has denied involvement in the massacre, saying he was in Manila when the carnage occurred. Lacierda said there is still a need to assess Zaldy’s testimony. “If Zaldy is offering that particular testimony, then we will have to assess and to study. This is all in the framework of making sure that the truth will come out." He further said Zaldy’s offer cannot be rejected right away. “Nag-offer siya, hindi mo naman pwedeng kaagad i-itsa pwera. It’s important for us to also consider and study and assess what he can offer the court, yun ang pinakamahalaga sa atin," Lacierda said. He said there is no deal between the administration and the suspended ARMM governor except providing him with protection. “Ang hiningi lang naman niya is protection. I think it’s not an unreasonable request. There’s a reported strain between members of the family. That’s the only thing he asked, that he be provided protection and we’re doing that as already mentioned by [Interior and Local Government] Secretary Jesse Robredo," Lacierda said. - KBK, GMA News