The accused mastermind, Andal Ampatuan Jr., of the November 23 Maguindanao Massacre was again plead not guilty to 16 addition murder cases filed against him. Ampatuan Jr., a member of a politically powerful Muslim clan that was once allied to President Gloria Arroyo, impassively entered fresh pleas of “not guilty” as relatives of some of the dead wept outside the courtroom. Ampatuan, assisted by his lawyer Sigfrid Fortun, entered the plea during the continuation of his bail hearing at Camp Crame in the courtroom of Quezon City Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes.

Andal Ampatuan Jr. is accused of ordering his armed followers to kill about 57 people in the southern province of Maguindanao on November 23 last year in order to prevent a rival from running against him in May elections. The victims included Ampatuan’s rival’s wife and pregnant sister, as well as 30 journalists.

Prosecutors allege the defendant and up to 100 members of his private army stopped the convoy on a highway in Maguindanao, kidnapped the victims at gunpoint and took them to a hillside where they were shot dead.

They were then buried in mass graves, dug by a government-supplied backhoe, intended for civil works projects.


Based on the testimony of Ismael Mangudadatu, it seems that Pres. Arroyo knew that this incident might happen. Mangudadatu told the court in his testimony that he personally called Arroyo by cell phone the day after the massacre to inform her about the killings. He did not say what her reaction was.

On the sentiments, Myrna Reblando, the widow of one of the slain journalists, “I could not believe the highest office of the government could not serve or protect the people. There were intelligence reports saying this would happen, that these people would be waylaid. She could have done something. These were her people.” When the widowed Reblando was asked if she was referring to Pres. Arroyo she said “Yes.”

Later at the trial, Justice Department coroner Ricardo Rodaje testified how Mangudadatu’s wife, Jennalyn, bore 17 bullet wounds but was also hacked in her private parts before she died.

“These incisive wounds were inflicted while the victim was still alive,” he said, describing his autopsy after the massacre.

Before the killings, the Ampatuans were close political allies of Arroyo, who armed and used them to help contain Muslim separatist rebels.

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