Maguindanao massacre witness killed, another hurt in ambush

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines - Gunmen on Tuesday killed in an ambush in Shariff Aguak town a witness in the November 2009 Maguidanao massacre.

Killed was Denix Sakal, former driver of principal massacre suspect Andal Ampatuan Jr. Sakal, who died due to multiple gunshot wounds in the body, had signified his willingness to testify against his former boss.

Another potential witness, Sukarno "Butch" Saudagal, was hurt in the ambush.

Saudagal was a trusted “bagman” of Ampatuan when he was still mayor of Datu Unsay town in the second district of the province.

“I’m convinced the attack was meant to silence these new prosecution witnesses for good,” said Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu.

Mangudadatu said doctors have insinuated there is a possibility that one of Saudagal’s arm, hit by a rifle bullet, could be amputated.

Mangudadatu, chair of the provincial peace and order council, said the victims were on their way to Tacurong City for a meeting with their lawyers when they were attacked while in Barangay Bagong in Shariff Aguak, around 8 a.m.

The ambush scene is near the 500-hectare farm of the Ampatuans.

Mangudadatu lost a wife, Genalyn, and several relatives in the massacre, the country’s worst ever election related violence. At least 30 journalists were also killed in the massacre.

The victims were in a convoy en route to the provincial capitol in Shariff Aguak town to file Mangudadatu’s certificate of candidacy for governor in the May 2010 Maguindanao gubernatorial race.