Video by Noy Morcoso/INQUIRER.net
SILANG, Cavite–It was Police Inspector Andal Ampatuan III’s dream to join the Philippine National Police.
But carrying the name of the political clan associated with the November 2009 massacre of 58 individuals–including journalists–in Ampatuan, Maguindanao, was never easy for the newly-commissioned police officer.
The Police Inspector is the grandson of former Maguindanao Governor Andal Ampatuan Sr., the patriarch of the influential clan who is currently detained in Taguig City for allegedly masterminding the gruesome massacre.
Another namesake of the PNPA graduate is his uncle, Andal “Unsay” Ampatuan Jr., the man who purportedly led more than 100 armed men to slaughter a political rival’s family members, supporters and media practitioners in the 2009 massacre.
As soon as the graduating cadets threw their headpieces in the air, members of the media scurried around the PNPA grounds and searched for the first Ampatuan policeman, seemingly outshining the top members of the Lakandula class of 2015.
Police Inspector Andal Ampatuan III PHOTO BY Julliane Love De Jesus/INQUIRER.net
When reporters and cameramen found the young man with “Ampatuan” embroidered on his maroon uniform, he was mobbed instantly. Cornered, Ampatuan reluctantly took questions from the media.
“Opo, lolo ko po (si Andal Ampatuan Sr.). Nagpapasalamat po ako dahil natapos po ako (Yes, Andal Ampatuan Sr. is my grandfather. I am thankful that I’ve finally graduated),” he told reporters at the sidelines of the PNPA’s 36th commencement exercises.
Asked if he would use his profession as a law enforcer to bring peace in Mindanao, he said: “Gagawin ko lahat ng aming makakaya bilang bagong Inspector para sa bayan (We will do everything based on our capability as new policemen of the country).”
After the young Ampatuan denied there was “pressure” from the PNPA administration and other plebes, he casually walked away to avoid answering further questions.
Ampatuan and 245 cadets were commissioned as Police Inspectors in graduation rites graced by President Benigno Aquino III at Camp Gen. Mariano Castañeda in Silang, Cavite, on Thursday.
He and the majority of the graduates opted to join the 150,000-police force while others chose to serve at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology and the Bureau of Fire Protection.
Meanwhile, his mother Bai Rebecca Ampatuan said issues on a member of the Ampatuan clan joining the police force were inevitable.
“Dati naapektuhan siya (because of his surname) pero sa pag tagal, natatanggap din ng anak ko at tsaka nakakaya din niya ‘yung mga challenges dito… Pangarap niya talaga na maging PNPA cadet,” Bai Rebecca Ampatuan.
(He used to be affected before due to his surname but later on got to accept and bear the challenges…It is his dream to be a PNPA cadet.)
Bai Rebecca’s husband is her cousin Akmad Ampatuan Sr., a son-in-law of former Maguindanao Governor Andal Ampatuan Sr. and a former mayor of Mamasapano town.
Akmad is among the Ampatuans charged with murder.
With Rebecca was his son Benzar Ampatuan, mayor of Mamasapano town where 44 of his brother’s fellow policemen were killed in a bloody clash with Moro rebel groups.
“Actually, proud kami dahil may Ampatuan na naging PNPA cadet. We are very proud. Hindi namin ma-express ang feelings namin,” she said.
Since the incident, which was considered the single deadliest event for journalists in history, all eyes were on the controversial political family. And now, on the police officer who carries the stigma of being a namesake of the Maguindanao massacre’s principal accused.
Bai Rebecca Ampatuan, mother of Police Inspector Andal Ampatuan III. PHOTO BY Julliane Love De Jesus/INQUIRER.net
“Sana mabura na yung masasamang storya laban sa pamilya namin dahil nakikita niyo naman kung ano ang anak namin, kung ano kami (We hope all the bad things being said about our family will soon be erased because you can see who our son is, and what we are),” she added.
According to PNPA spokesperson Chief Inspector Richie Yatar, it’s not a culture in the PNPA to discriminate a cadet for his bloodline.
“Sa academy, may standard and parameters ‘yan, regardless kung saang pamilya ka galing, kung sino ka, anak ka nito, it doesn’t matter sa amin (In the academy, we have standard and parameters which do not discriminate who you are and who your family is; it doesn’t matter to us) ,” Yatar said.
The police official said Ampatuan had a clean record during his four-year training in the academy.
“Patas kami. Kasi dito nag-uumpisa yung patas na pagtingin sa mga bagay kasi tagapagpatupad sila ng batas natin at kasama dito ang pagiging patas sa lahat (We are fair. Here cadets learn to look at things fairly because we enforce the laws and this includes being fair to all),” Yatar said. AU