Mangudadatu laughs off Ampatuan harassment claim

Maguindanao Governor Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu branded as laughable and imaginary the allegations of  a member of a rival clan that he is using his position and the 2009 massacre to drive the remaining Ampatuans out of office.

“I think her allegation is laughable being concocted and imaginary,” Mangudadatu said  in a text message, referring to the claims of Datu Unsay Mayor Bai Reshal Santiago Ampatuan.

“What abuses did I commit against her family,” he asked.

Bai Reshal, first wife of former Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., called on Justice Secretary Leila de Lima to investigate the alleged abuses committed by Mangudadatu.

BACKSTORY: Mangudadatu using power, massacre issue to unseat all Ampatuans

In her letter to De Lima, she said it was the men of Mangudadatu led by a certain Kagui Akmad Baganian Ampatuan who burned the house of her husband on June 28, 2014. She said they learned it from Mangudadatu’s men.

She added that Mangudadatu’s camp also lodged fabricated cases against their remaining relatives, citing the case of Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao, Mayor Zahara Ampatuan, whom she said was wrongly linked to a killing in the town.

She accused Gov. Mangudadatu of conniving with Provincial Prosecutor Tocod Ronda and Cotabato City RTC Judge George Jabido in concocting cases against her relatives.

She was also among the 14 Ampatuans included in the second wave of complaints for 58 counts of murder.

Mangudadatu said he would welcome an investigation by the Department of Justice.

“Yes we will welcome any investigation on Reshal Ampatuan’s allegation that I committed abuses against her family,” Mangudadatu said adding that a probe would show who is telling the truth.

He added that when talking about harassment, Bai Reshal’s husband, even when detained has been giving command to his private armed men to harass his supporters and constituents.

“Now I’ll turn the table on her, because based on facts is that what I know is that her husband Unsay Ampatuan now incarcerated murdered my family. And even if he is in detention, he gives command to his private armed men to sow terroristic activities against my supporters and law abiding citizens of our province,” Mangudadatu added.