Bail grant for massacre suspect shocks Mangudadatu

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines — Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu and his relatives were shocked and saddened by the court's grant of bail for Sajid Islam Ampatuan, but the clan remained zealous in its pursuit of justice for family members and the 32 journalists that perished in the carnage.

Ampatuan, son of now detained former Gov. Andal Ampatuan, Sr. and a key suspect in the infamous Nov. 23, 2009 Maguindanao Massacre, was allowed to post bail early this week by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221.

"While we in the family are very sad with this development, hope and enthusiasm is intact in our hearts. We are sure the wheel of justice will roll over the people behind the massacre soon, perhaps even sooner that expected," Mangudadatu on Saturday said.

Mangudadatu lost a wife, Genalyn, and several relatives in the incident, which also left 32 journalists dead.

At least 58 people were killed in the massacre, allegedly planned and perpetrated by members of the Ampatuan clan, among them the former governor of the province and his favorite son, former Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan, Jr.

Mangudadatu said he had talked to members of their clan and urged them to remain sober in the wake of the court's decision to allow Sajid to post bail.

"There many legal means, legal and peaceful means to address all of these challenges lying ahead of us," Mangudadatu said.

Some of Mangudadatu's relatives have called on the national government to check on where Sajid had sourced out the P11.6 million bail for his temporary release from detention.

The assets of the Ampatuan clan and bank deposits of members implicated in the massacre have all been frozen since early 2010.

"Sometimes Allah works in so many ways we can hardly fathom and interpret. We trust in Allah. Justice will be served," Mangudadatu said.