Adding to the list of grisly crimes supposedly committed in their hands are the newly excavated remains of murder victims right in the property of the feared Ampatuan clans last Sunday, February 20. The Ampatuan is currently under trial for murdering 57 people, 32 of which are journalists and the other 1 still missing. The murder had been branded as the worst and infamous journalist killing in international history and was widely condemned worldwide. Recently, uncovered remains of brutally murdered victims add up to their long list of senseless violence and brutal assassination.
Two apparent victims of murder are recovered from the corn plantation owned by the Ampatuan in southern Maguindanao province as reported by DOJ secretary Leila De Lima. Suspects to the crime are former ARMM Governor Zaldy Ampatuan and former Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. Andal Ampatuan has been the leading suspect on the Maguindanao massacre and currently detained and held under trial for multiple murder. Upon meticulous scrutiny of the evidence and witness testimony, DOJ acquired a warrant to dig up the suspected sites which was reported to be the burial site of the slain victims. The search had been successful because of the DOJ’s mum order while the warrant was being processed. No words about the search were leaked that might stir the awareness of the suspects and jeopardize the search. The two remains were presumed to be relatives and supporters of Mangudadatu, political rival of the Ampatuans whose wife, relatives and supporters together with the journalists were slained in the Maguindanao massacre.
The remains are strong evidence that would strengthen the accusation of brutal massacre against the Ampatuan clan. The remains would be subjected to forensic investigation to verify their identity. They could also be useful for the ongoing trial against the Ampatuan. The search is already in its fourth day of operation but it gives no signal of halting. DOJ assures the masses that as long as there are victims who would ask for justice, they would continuously look for more remains. De Lima stated that authorities were still looking for more possible mass graves all throughout Maguindanao as there are at least 200 reported past victims who had fallen prey to the brutal hands of the Ampatuan. – photo courtesy to AFP
