Andal Jr. asks Supreme Court to stop testimony of clan henchman

MANILA, Philippines—Andal Ampatuan Jr. through his counsel asked the Supreme Court on Wednesday to stop the alleged henchman of the Ampatuan clan from testifying in the Maguindanao massacre case.

An appeal for certiorari with an application for the issuance of a temporary restraining order has been filed before the high court seeking a reversal of the July 1 order of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221 that allows Kenny Dalandag, the alleged henchman of the Ampatuans and 33 other co-accused to become state witnesses.

The defense went to the Supreme Court after Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221 Jocelyn Solis-Reyes denied their motion for being “bereft of merit”.

Andal “Datu Unsay” Ampatuan Jr., the principal accused, argued that Dalandag should be included in the charge sheet as he has claimed to have participated in the massacre of 57 civilians last Nov. 23, 2009 in Maguindanao.

When he first testified, Dalandag said he was present when the Ampatuan clan hatched the massacre plan in their mansion in Shariff Aguak town.

Dalandag, a member of the Ampatuan’s private armed group, said that it was Andal Ampatuan Jr. who shot Jimmy Cabillo, a reporter of the Midland Review who was among the journalists killed in the massacre.

He also accused Andal Ampatuan Sr., of directly ordering his son to carry out the massacre in a meeting on Nov. 22, 2009. He also identified other members of the clan who were present during the meeting.

In the same order, the Quezon City Court also ruled in favor of the prosecution’s move listing the 33 other co-accused as state witnesses. The involved accused are Chief Inspector Sukarno Dicay, Inspectors Rex Ariel Diongon and Michael Joy Macaraeg; Senior Police Officers 2 George Labayan, Oscar Donato, and Badawi Bakal; Senior Police Officers 1 Samad Usman Maguindara, Alimola Guianon, Ali Mluk Solano, and Eduardo Ong; Police Officers 3 Felix Ababao Daquilos, Ricky Balanueco, Rasid Anton and Felix Enate Jr.; Police Officers 2 Hamad Nana, Hernanie Decipulo Jr., Saudiar Ulah, Saudi Pasutan, and Rexson Guiama; Police Officers 1 Herich Amada, Abdula Baguadatu, Tamano Sahibal, Abdul Mundas, Espirilieto Lejarso, Esmael Manuel Guialal, Narkouk Mascud, Arunulfo Soriano, Rainier Ebus, Michael Macarongon and Pia Kamidon; and civilians Takpan Dilon, Esmael Kanapia, and Mohammad Sangki.

Private prosecutor Harry Roque said the defense was trying to stop Dalandag from testifying because “he is not just an eye witness but he knows who were present when they planned the massacre.”

In his affidavit, Dalandag identified suspended Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Governor Zaldy Ampatuan, Sajid Ampatuan, Shariff Aguak Mayor Anwar Ampatuan and other relatives including Saudi Ampatuan Jr., Ban Ampatuan and Ulo Ampatuan.