You have commented 338 times on Rantburg.

Your Name
Your e-mail (optional)
Website (optional)
My Original Nic        Pic-a-Nic        Sorry. Comments have been closed on this article.
Bold Italic Underline Strike Bullet Blockquote Small Big Link Squish Foto Photo
Southeast Asia
Maguindanao massacre witness: Ampatuans orders the killings
2010-09-09
(Xinhua) -- A former house helper of a powerful clan implicated in the murder of at least 57 people in Southern Philippines testified to the lower court on Wednesday that his boss Ampatuan ordered the killings.

Lakmudin Saliao, a helper of the Ampatuan family for over 20 years, revealed to the court that Ampatuan patriarch former Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan Sr., his sons and their supporters conspired to kill everyone in the convoy which was on its way to file the certificate of candidacy of a rival politician.

Initially, the patriarch wanted to spare the media practitioners but his son Andal Ampatuan Jr., former Datu Unsay Mayor and the main defendant in the Maguindanao massacre, objected and said that everyone should be killed. At least 30 journalists were among those murdered.

Saliao's testimonies has been described as a "smoking gun" by prosecutors which means that it serves as a conclusive evidence of a crime.

Prior to the murder on Nov. 23, Saliao said the family held various meetings in their home to line with their plan.

The witness also revealed that another meeting was held a day after the incident where those present agreed that they would surrender Andal Jr. to the government.

This time, other government officials--Maguindanao Rep. Didagen Dilangalen, then Presidential Adviser on Mindanao Secretary Jesus Dureza, and an administrative officer of the Automous Region of Muslim Mindanao-- were present, the witness said.

Saliao was not able to complete his testimony. The court adjourned prior to the lunch. Saliao's testimony will continue on Sept. 15, local media ABS-CBN News reported.

Prior to the formal opening of the trial, five people who allgedly have knowledge of the murder have been killed. A total of 197 people have been implicated for the massacre.
Posted by:Fred

00:00