Ampatuan areas in Maguindanao tagged poll hot spots

GENERAL SANTOS CITY—Police in Maguindanao have identified 11 of the province’s 36 towns as potential hot spots where violence could erupt during the campaign and election period.

Senior Supt. Jaime Pido, Maguindanao police director, said six of the potential hot spots were identified as bailiwicks of the Ampatuan clan, whose patriarch and several other members were implicated in the 2009 massacre of 58 people, including 32 journalists and two lawyers.

The mass murders took place in an attempt by the Ampatuan clan to prevent Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu, then Buluan vice mayor and now Maguindanao governor, from filing a certificate of candidacy to challenge the gubernatorial candidacy of Andal Ampatuan Jr.

Andal Sr., Andal Jr. and his brothers, a number of relatives and supporters were arrested for the mass murder.

Pido said being closely watched are the towns of Pagalungan, Shariff Aguak, Mamasapano, Paglat, Datu Unsay, Shariff Saydona, Datu Hoffer, Datu Salibo, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Sultan Mastura and Sultan Kudarat. With reports from Aquiles Zonio, Inquirer Mindanao