Witness: Andal Jr. is no ordinary man

MANILA, Philippines — Andal Ampatuan Jr., principal accused in the  so-called Maguindanao massacre last year, is no ordinary man who can kill at will, a former police official this afternoon said.

Testifying before Quezon City Regional Trial Court Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes, ex-Inspector Rex Ariel Diongon described Andal Jr. as "no ordinary civilian."

"Si Andal Ampatuan Ray hindi ordinaryong civilian. Marami syang baril, kaya nyang pumatay,"said Diongon, the ground commander of the policemen who set up a checkpoint at Brgy. Salman, Sitio Malatin, Ampatuan town, Maguindanao to block the Mangudadatu convoy.

He also told the court that he executed three of the five affidavits regarding the incident "out of fear."

The last two affidavits had been executed with the help of the Department of Justice earlier this year.

During cross examination by defense lawyer Sigfrid Fortun, Diongon admitted that the first affidavit he executed on Nov. 29, 2009 was filled with "half-truths".

However, he pointed out, during a re-redirect examination by the prosecution panel that the document was prepared by a high ranking official.

Diongon, who wants to turn state witness, claimed he was present during a meeting at the house of Andal Jr. on Nov. 19, 2009 to plan the checkpoint to stop now Maguindanao Gov. Esmael "Toto" Mangudadatu in filing his certificate of candidacy for the May 10, 2010 elections.