Ampatuan denies involvement in Mamasapano clash

MANILA, Philippines - Former Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr. denied reports that his private army was involved in the Mamasapano clash which left 44 police commandos dead.

In an interview with ABS-CBN News, Ampatuan's legal counsel Ferdinand Topacio said that the report "may be part of the continuing attempt to obfuscate and confound the issue by floating names of other parties."

Topacio noted that the Ampatuans have been out of power for nearly five years.

Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson Joselito Kakilala earlier reported that some members of Ampatuan's private armed group joined the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and its splinter group, the Justice for Islamic Movement.

''The Ampatuans have been out of power for approximately five years, and their resources practically exhausted; therefore they do not have the influence and wherewithal to form and maintain private armed groups," Topacio said.

Ampatuan's lawyer added that his client will never be involved in activities that will result to the death of government forces.

''Our client decries this latest attempt to demonize the Ampatuan name and their clan, and urges the public to be more discriminating in their assessment of statements coming from different quarters which may have their own agenda to promote," Topacio said.

Ampatuan Sr. and several members of his family are currently detained for the November 2009 Maguindanao massacre.

Sajid Islam, the son of Ampatuan Sr. was earlier allowed temporary release a few weeks ago.

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