Transfer of massacre witness to Cotabato court sought

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Justice (DOJ) has been asked to transfer a new state witness in the Maguindanao massacre to the custody of a Cotabato court in connection with the killing of a jail warden 17 years ago.

In a three-page letter received by DOJ Secretary Leila de Lima last Monday, the family of jail warden Al-Khail Tangki Mamalangkay cited an arrest warrant issued by the Cotabato City Regional Trial Court on July 30, 1999 for former Datu Salibo town mayor Akmad Ampatuan.

The victim’s 80-year-old father, Tangli Mamalangkay, said they are determined to seek justice for his son, whom he said was allegedly murdered by Akmad.

Tangli said before his son died, he was able to execute an affidavit tagging Akmad as his assailant.

He said the pieces of evidence against Akmad were overwhelming, noting that his son’s motorcycle was found by authorities at the former mayor’s house.

The family said authorities did not serve the arrest warrant for fear of reprisal from Akmad. 

“Akmad Ampatuan is powerful and influential and our family has no choice but to just wait for a chance to get the justice that we have been deprived for many years,” the family said. 

They said De Lima’s decision to place Akmad under the witness protection program weakened their faith in the country’s justice system.