Clan chief 'responsible for political massacre in Philippines'
27/01/2010
The head of a clan and his son arranged the killing of 57 individuals in the Philippines in November last year, an eye witness testified in court this week.
Local town councillor Muhammad Sangki stated at the national police headquarters this week that Andal Ampatuan came up with the plan and paid various members of the police force to murder members of rival clan the Mangudadatus, the Canadian Press informed.
Meanwhile, Mr Ampatuan's father ordered several mayors to hire gunmen to halt a convoy of individuals on their way to register Esmael Mangudadatu as a candidate for governor in the provincial capital.
Although the son is currently up in court facing these allegations, his father and others implicated so far have yet to be formally charged, according to the news provider.
Mr Mangudadatu's wife was killed in the violence, which also claimed the lives of more than 30 journalists and media representatives and was motivated by the forthcoming elections in May.
In November, current president of the Philippines Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said that the incident was "a supreme act of inhumanity that is a blight on our nation".
Written by John Curtis
