The powerful family of Ampatuan in Maguindanao (Philippines) were found guilty by a court in Philippines for the massacre of 58 people on November 23, 2009 in a political rivalry between two families (the Mangudadatus and the Ampatuans). Among those massacred on that fateful day were 32 journalists and relatives of a rival gubernatorial candidate (Ismael Mangudadatu). The two brothers (Datu Andal Unsay Jr and Zaldy Ampatuan) and their accomplices were convicted of 57 counts of murder in Philippines deadliest incident of political violence. They were also sentenced to life imprisonment without parole, bringing an end to a decade-long trial in which over 100 people were charged with the massacre of 58 people. Our correspondent reported that the judge acquitted 56 people mostly junior police officers and 7 cases were discharged including the case of Andal Ampatuan Sr. who in July 2015 died in custody of a heart attack. Our correspondent gathered that on 23 November 2009, Esmael Mangudadatu sent his wife, his female relatives, his lawyers and journalists to file his gubernatorial candidacy papers for the province of Maguindanao (southern Philippines). Ampatuan Sr, then governor who has been grooming his son (Andal Ampatuan Jr) was angered by Mangudadatu’s candidacy. He allegedly sent 100 of his armed men to ambush the convoy of the Mangudadatus and killed them. The victims were shot dead and buried in a mass grave. This was not the first time the Ampatuans were accused of intimidating and killing of political rivals. The notorious family have been implicated in over 50 incidents of abduction, torture and murder of their rivals.
Source: Viewers Corner News.