MAYOR Andal Ampatuan Jr is set to surrender to Presidential Adviser for Mindanao Jesus Dureza any time Thursday (today) morning and face charges for his alleged participation in the gruesome massacre of scores of civilians including at least 25 journalists Monday.
A source said the surrender could take place in Sharif Aguak or at the General Santos City airport.
Ampatuan Jr. has been linked to the murder of the wife and two sisters of his potential rival and Buluan vice mayor Esmael Mangudadatu in the gubernatorial race next year.
His father, Andal Ampatuan Sr., is the governor of Maguindao, some 1,000 kilometers south of Manila. A half brother by the second wife of his father, Zaldy Ampatuan, is governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
Philippine Energy Undersecretary Zamzamin Ampatuan confirmed the report in a television interview this morning.
Zamzamin became the first member of the Ampatuan clan to publicly come out and issue a statement on the massacre.
He said the Ampatuans decided to surrender Andal Jr. and face investigation.
Zamzamin however said Andal Jr, who is also mayor of a town that bears their clan’s name, has denied any participation in Monday’s incident that drew worldwide outrage and condemnation.
The sobbing Zamzamin acknowledged that a culture of violence has pervaded in the province over the years.
He was also quoted as saying it is not only the Ampatuans who are capable of committing violence.
“Ito ang nakakalungkot (This is the sad part of it). The culture of violence,†he said holding back his trembling voice.
He said he too was appalled by the murders and appealed to put a stop to the cycle of violence in Maguindanao.
He called on the Mangudadatus to allow the wheels of justice take its course.
“I know Toto (Esmael Mangudadatu). We are friends,†as he offered his condolences.
source:
http://us.asiancorrespondent.com/edwin-espejo/%28breaking-story%29-philippine-massacr.htmrelated news:
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/11/26/09/relative-says-ampatuan-jr-surrenderJUSTICE!!!
