Video by Tetch Torres/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Justice (DOJ) has ordered 14 more Ampatuans, including Mamasapano Mayor Benzar Ampatuan and three other mayors, to explain their participation in the 2009 Maguindanao massacre.
During Tuesday’s preliminary investigation, the DOJ’s panel of investigators led by Assistant State Prosecutor Niven Canlapan ordered Benzar Ampatuan along with Rajah Buayan Mayor Jack Ampatuan Lumenda, Datu Unsay Mayor Reshal Santiago Ampatuan and Shariff Aguak Mayor Zahara Ampatuan, 10 other Ampatuans and 36 others to submit their counteraffidavits on April 16.
The respondents are facing a complaint for 58 counts of murder for the death of 32 journalists and 18 others on Nov. 23, 2009, which include Genalyn Mangudadatu, wife of Maguindanao Gov. Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu, his sister Eden, cousin Rowena and aunt Manguba.
Mangudadatu, who appeared before the DOJ to affirm the complaint, said the new batch of respondents would not affect the 58 counts of murder already pending before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221.
Others named in the “second wave” complaint, which were attested by 43 heirs of the 58 massacre fatalities, were Samsudin Ampatuan; former Datu Saudi Mayor Nanon Ampatuan; Pandag Ampatuan; Amerah Ampatuan Mamalapat; Rebecca Ampatuan; Mong Ampatuan; Harris Ampatuan Macapendeg; Kamad Ampatuan; Faizal Ampatuan; Kudzbari Ampatuan; former Solicitor General of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and current city administrator of Cotabato City Cynthia Guiani Sayadi; Sukarto “Manguten/Teng” Singh; one Inspector Mariga of the Maguindanao police; Samer “Mama” Uy; Kage Ali Midtimbang; Kage Melo Lumenda; Farid Adas; Dali “Kumander Boy” Kamendan; Rowel Santiago; Kempar Silongan; Kamsa “Kudta” Salik; Sangutin Musa; Daud “Kumander Kwatro” Kamendan; Digo Mamalapat; Monir Asim Sr.; Kuka Ebos; Mautin Upam; Tamano “Barakuda” Sabpa; Borgo “Rey” Kasan; Salahudin “Tho” Uday; Hashim “Mistro” Esmael; Joel Tatak, Rene Upam; Kaking Inggo; a certain policeman Biton; Allandatu Angas; Roger Mamalo; Jainodin “Zainodin” Abutazil; Manak Malaguial; Kabili Sumagkang; Ben Carandang; Kage Sabog; Abusama Simpal; Kumander Ukay Simpal, and several other John Does and Jane Does.
“The new case will not cause a delay in the ongoing trial of the first batch of the Maguindanao massacre case filed before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC),” Mangudadatu told reporters in an interview after the preliminary hearing.
In the fresh complaint, the complainants said that “many witnesses came out to tell what they personally know about the horrible incident” after sensing a “change of political atmosphere” in Maguindanao.
It expressed concern about alleged efforts to silence new witnesses, citing the cases of former Datu Salibo town Mayor Akmad Ampatuan, who was wounded in an ambush in Maguindanao along with two companions on Dec. 10, 2014, and the ambush on Nov. 18, 2014, that killed Denix Sakal and wounded Sukarno “Butch” Saudagal.
“In the course of the Ampatuan, Maguindanao, massacre case, the witnesses presented in court have testified that several other persons who were not charged were involved in the planning, execution, and coverup of what is known as the worst election-related case in the Philippines,” the complainants said in their manifestation.
Currently, there are a total of 196 accused in the Maguindanao massacre case including the head of the Ampatuan clan Datu Andal Ampatuan Sr., sons Datu Zalday “Puti” Ampatuan, Datu Akmad Ampatuan Sr., Anwar Ampatuan (husband of Zahara Ampatuan) and Sajid Ampatuan who was recently released on bail.