Former helper testifies vs Zaldy

MANILA, Philippines - A former helper of the Ampatuan clan yesterday positively identified former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao governor Zaldy Ampatuan in court as one of plotters of the 2009 Maguindanao massacre.

Lakmodin Saliao, a self-confessed helper of Zaldy’s father and co-accused Andal Ampatuan Sr., took the witness stand again and confirmed his testimony against the former governor two years ago.

At that time, Zaldy was not yet arraigned and not yet part of the trial proper.

Saliao’s testimony aims to debunk Zaldy’s claim that he did not take part in plotting the killing of 58 people.

Zaldy insisted he was in Manila when the murders took place, but he was charged as a principal accused.

According to Saliao, Zaldy had a direct participation in the alleged conspiracy and that Zaldy only left Maguindanao before the massacre to evade suspicion that their family had a hand in the killings.

Saliao first testified in September 2010. He claimed that the clan patriarch, Andal Sr., had gathered his relatives and sons, including Zaldy, over dinner and asked them how to stop their political rival, then Buluan town vice mayor Esmael Mangudadatu, from running for provincial governor.

The area is one of the key regional posts that the clan had held for years. The family is eyeing another principal accused, Andal Ampatuan Jr., to take the post, which was previously held by Andal Sr.

Andal Jr. allegedly advised the patriarch to have the Mangudadatus killed. Saliao said everybody laughed and agreed with his suggestion.

Mangudadatu, however, did not personally file his certificate of candidacy. Instead he sent his wife, sisters, female lawyers, and media in his behalf.