The charge based on the eyewitness accounts of at least 10 people. He is said to have led the commandos who killed 57 relatives and supporters of Ishmael "Toto" Mangudadatu, his political rival. For security reasons, the trial will be transferred to Manila. Investigated 20 other suspects.

Manila (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Andalo Ampatuan Jr., the alleged author of the massacre in Maguindanao which killed 57 people, has been indicted on charges of multiple murder. This is confirmed by the investigators who made the charge based on the evidence gathered in investigations.

At least 10 people have reported seeing the mayor of Datu Unsay, son of the provincial governor, head the commando that on 23 November last killed relatives and supporters of Ishmael "Toto" Mangudadatu. He is a political rival of the Ampatuan family and intends to run for governor's chair in Maguindanao, a province in southern Philippines.  

In the days following the massacre Andalo Ampatuan Jr., a political ally of Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, had surrendered to the police, but had denied all charges. He is being charged with 25 murders.  

Prosecutors have entered him in the register of suspects before a court in Cotabato City, responsible for the area, the prosecution sources report that, for security reasons, the trial will be held in Manila. 20 other suspects, including prominent Ampatuan police officials - town where the massacre took place - are still in jail and under investigation.

 

• philippines
• massacre
• arrest
• trial
• charge
• govenor
• maguindanao
• andalo
• ampatuan
• jr
• president
• arroyo