Maguindanao massacre witness slain in ambush

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines – A witness in the Maguindanao massacre case was killed while another was wounded in an ambush in Shariff Aguak town on Tuesday.

Denix Sakal, former driver of Andal Ampatuan Jr., died at the scene from multiple gunshot wounds.

Sukarno Saudagal, said to be a “bagman” of Ampatuan when he was mayor of Datu Unsay town, suffered serious injuries.

Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu said the victims were on their way to Tacurong City for a meeting with lawyers when they were attacked near the 500-hectare farm of the Ampatuans in Barangay Bagong.

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

Sakal and Saudagal have yet to be presented as prosecution witnesses.

Private Prosecutor Nena Santos in a text message to The STAR said Saudagal’s affidavit had been submitted to Justice Secretary Leila de Lima while Sakal’s affidavit is still being prepared.

The relatives of the victims and various organizations will commemorate on Sunday the fifth anniversary of the massacre of 58 people, including 32 media practitioners.

Mangudadatu lost his wife, Genalyn, and several relatives in the massacre, the country’s worst case of election violence. – With Janvic Mateo