Photos show Ampatuan patriarch outside cell
[jwplayer mediaid=”9428″ bufferlength=”10″]MANILA, Philippines—Angered by the refusal of jail officials to allow prosecutors and the media to inspect the cells of the Ampatuans, Maguindanao Governor Esmael Mangudadatu showed to the media on Thursday photos showing Andal Ampatuan Sr. outside his cell in the high-security prison in Bicutan, Taguig.
Magudadatu said there were “more explosive” videos purportedly showing special treatment for the Ampatuan patriarch.
Mangudadatu’s revelation came after tensions went up inside the jail warden’s office when Mangudadatu and other massacre victims’ relatives insisted on an on-the-spot inspection of the Ampatuans’ cells.
They taunted a defense lawyer often seen with Andal Ampatuan Jr.
“If you have money, there’s no law,” an angry Mangudadatu said.
“If they’re not hiding anything, why don’t they allow an inspection?” said lawyer Harry Roque.
Roque said Andal Ampatuan Sr. was even seen by two lawyers at the Hotel Sofitel in recent months.
One of the photos showed Andal Ampatuan Sr. outside the prison building with more than three guests, the minimum number of visitors allowed at a time.
Another showed the Ampatuan patriarch with a woman purportedly with his wife using a cellphone.
A third photo showed Ampatuan with two men who Mangudadatu identified as Ampatuan’s masseur and cook.
