14 more Ampatuan clan members charged in massacre

MANILA, Philippines - At least 14 more members of the Ampatuan clan, from among 50 more people, have been criminally charged last Tuesday in connection with the infamous Nov. 23, 2009 Maguindanao Massacre, radio reports on Thursday said.

The complaints against the latest batch of massacre suspects were reportedly signed last Tuesday by more than 40 relatives of the people that perished in the incident, in the presence of Maguindanao provincial prosecutor Tocod Ronda and private prosecutor Nena Santos.  

The symbolic filing of complaints against the new massacre suspects was done at the office of Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu in the municipality of Buluan. 

Mangudadatu lost a wife, Genalyn, and several relatives and supporters in the carnage.

Charged last Tuesday were Jack Ampatuan, Samsudin Ampatuan, Nanon Ampatuan, Benzar Ampatuan, Pandag Ampatuan, Amerah Ampatuan Mamalapat, Rebecca Ampatuan, Reshal Santiago Ampatuan, Mong Ampatuan, Harris Ampatuan Macapendeg, Kamad Ampatuan, Faizal Ampatuan, Kudzbari Ampatuan and Zahara Ampatuan.

Reshal and Sahara are daughters-in-law of one of the alleged mastermind in the massacre, former Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr., according to some of the complainants.

Rebecca, on the other hand, is daughter of the jailed former governor. Her husband, Akmad Ampatuan, is also incarcerated in connection with the massacre.

Reshal is spouse of former Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan, Jr., also a principal suspect in the massacre.

At least 58 people perished in the incident, more than 30 of them journalists.

Also named as new respondents to the case were two policemen, one named Inspector Mariga and the other, a certain Biton, who both belong to the Maguindanao provincial police office.

Also charged were Cynthia Guiani Sayadi, Sukarno Singh, Samer “Mama” Uy, Kagi Ali Midtimbang, Kagi Melo Lumenda, Farid Adas, Dali “Kumander Boy” Kamendan, Rowel Santiago, Kempar Silongan, Kamsa “Kudta” Salik, Sangutin Musa, Daud “Kumander Kwatro” Kamendan, Digo Mamalapat, Monir Asim Sr., Kuka Ebos, Mautin Upam, Tamano “Barakuda” Sabpa, Borgo “Rey” Kasan, Salahudin “Tho” Uday, Hashim “Mistro” Esmael, Joel Tatak, Rene Upam, Kaking Inggo, Allandatu Angas, Roger Mamalo, Jainodin “Zainodin” Abutazil, Manak Malaguial, Kabili Sumagkang, Ben Carandang, Kage Sabog, Abusama Simpal, Kumander Ukay Simpal, and several other John Does and Jane Does.

The Maguindanao Massacre was the country’s worst-election related violence ever.

The victims were in a convoy, en route to the provincial capital, Aguak town, to file for Mangudadatu, then vice-mayor of Buluan, his certificate of candidacy for governor of the province, when they were stopped by gunmen allegedly led by the Ampatuans, brought into a hill along the highway where they were killed with automatic weapons.

Despite the incident, Mangudadatu persisted in his bid for the highest elective post in the province and got elected as governor during the May 13, 2010 elections.

He won a second term during the May 13, 2013 Maguindanao gubernatorial race.