Ampatuan silencing massacre witnesses: hitman
MANILA, Philippines - A man who says he took part in last November's massacre in Maguindanao province has told Al Jazeera how he now fears he too will be killed as the alleged mastermind of the killings seeks to silence potential witnesses against him.
In an exclusive interview, the man known as "Jesse" told how he had been ordered to kill a witness, and he now fears he will be next after the head of a powerful clan placed a bounty on his life.
"[Datu Unsay] gave the order for me to kill this one guy who could have been a witness against them," he said.
"I did it. If I didn't do as told, they would kill me."
The November 23 massacre in the southern Philippine province of Maguindanao was the country's worst single incident of politically-related violence, leaving at least 57 people dead.
The killings are believed to have been masterminded by a leading member of a powerful local clan, Andal Ampatuan Jr., also known as Datu Unsay, in an attack on the family of a political rival.
More than 20 accompanying journalists and some passers-by were also killed in what investigators say was an attempt by the attackers to cover their tracks.
Ampatuan Jr. is now being held in a Manila jail accused of multiple counts of murder, although his trial was recently suspended indefinitely, pending decisions on motions filed by his lawyers.
Speaking to Al Jazeera, Jesse admitted he had taken part in the November killings, but said that as an employee of Ampatuan Jr.'s cousin, he had to either kill or be killed.
And he said the attack was carried out not on Ampatuan Jr's orders, but on the orders of his father, the clan patriarch and former governor of the province.
"I was there when they met a week prior and talked about the killings," he said.
"Unsay only does what he is told by Andal Sr… I followed orders too… I fired shots, I don't know how many I hit … if I hadn't - well, we know what Unsay is like."
Now in hiding and using an assumed name, Jesse is awaiting a decision from Philippine authorities on his plea for witness protection in return for his testimony.
In the meantime, he says, Ampatuan Jr. has placed a $45,000 bounty on his head.
Political ties
The Ampatuan clan has fiercely denied any involvement in the massacre.
Ampatuan Sr. has controlled Maguindanao province for most of the past decade and had been grooming his son to take his place as governor in national elections scheduled for May.
The family also had close political ties to Gloria Arroyo, the Philippine president who critics say had allowed the Ampatuans to build up a powerful militia in return for delivering votes.
Marga Ortigas, Al Jazeera's Manila correspondent, says the investigation into the massacre has been seen as a test not only of the Philippine judiciary but of the strength of the country's democracy as a whole.
While dozens of other clan members have been charged in relation to the killings, only one man – Ampatuan Jr. – has so far been brought to court.
With his trial now suspended, many Filipinos are skeptical that the perpetrators of the massacre will ever be brought to justice.
Court authorities have rejected accusations of political pressure and say they are doing the best they can.
In any case, Jesse told Al Jazeera, inside or outside of jail, the Ampatuan clan has a long reach.
"Unsay has been telling his men to be patient, that he'll get out. And when he does, he will punish anyone who turned against them," he said.
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Misleading
You have quite good argumentation here, but discouragingly everyone is missing the main subject of the headline. Is everyone aware that the mastermind of the many sufferings in Maguindanao is running for Vice-Governor? Did you know that he is still holding tons of Pilipino's money and the fact that the government did not find the gold bars that were stocked in his own home vault.
And you got it right citizen. They are currently using it. Imagine a campaign that is currently rolling started with 250 million pesos, and continuously rolling. Don't be so comfortable that they cannot cheat with a automated election. Yes they couldn't, but their money could! They still have guns and money more than enough to dispose opposing politicians.
They are financing there second wave of attack. Don't wait for this corrupt politician to take a grip of national position because what happened in Maguindanao is just a start, if you won't do your part.
THE AMPATAUN killers
I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY IF EVER THE AMPATUAN CAN GET AWAY WITH THEIR CRIME. GLORIA, GLORIA ,GLORIA I HOPE YOU CAN SLEEP FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE FEEDING THIS AMPATUANS TO BECOME A BIG BULL DOGS THAT EVEN YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE VICIOUSNESS OF T HEIR CLAN.
GIVE JUSTICE TO THE VICTIMS BEFORE YOU WILL BECOME ONE OF THEM.
Smagul 2
History has it that WW2 pulled the US out of the recession of the 1930’s. Steel was at its highest production to build ships for the US Navy, airplanes and guns. Seems like the Republicans learned from this. I would not put my finger on Pearl Harbor but if you have seen the movie TORA TORA TORA, you can’t help but wonder why they are not on alert when war was raging in Europe. There was also a scene in the movie when an observer saw something but it was ignored.
In 2001, I left the army after 4 years of service with a last rank of 1LT. When you sign up in the army, they got you for 8 years whether you are active or reserve. In 2003-04, I was called, got promoted to CPT to lead a Company of soldiers in Iraq. I am very thankful I came back in one piece. I have no ill feelings against the US, I have used them and they used me. I will welcome them to the Philippines if they decide to comeback instead of having the Koreans, Japanese and Chinese currently flourishing in my hometown. This doesn’t stop me to have my own opinion of the Americans. A few more years, I will be eligible for an early retirement and I will take the money and run, guess where am I running to. One thing I can advise to you is don’t be too naïve, no amount of US dollars is worthy enough to betray your true homeland
Smagul
I will be civil to you Smagul and let me tell you a little history unfolded before my eyes. Bush came into presidency in 2001 with at the prospect of a recession. Sure enough, life was hard and jobs were scarce. Bush was on vacation a lot of times during his early month as the president until 911 came. Then all of sudden, all these jobs sprung out from nowhere. Homeland security was created to guard all the airports. There were so many jobs that the National Guard from most if not all the states were activated to fill in for the TSA jobs while the airports are hiring people for the permanent positions. Since day 1 of 911, I was skeptical about the Al Qaeda being responsible for the 911. I know they are a terrorist group but I don't think they have the resources or the capability to pull such stunt. Moreover, the way the buildings collapse was unbelievable, more so to a trained structural engineer. Then a haphazard war was launched against the Taliban. Bush started talking tough against the "axis of evil" and started another war against Sadam.
The conspiracy theory about 911 was a welcome news to me and assured me that I am not crazy for having such thoughts. Even Obama believe in the conspiracy and his famous words as a senator were “Let’s bomb more buildings”, obviously he was furious and against the Bush war. I voted for McCain because I think he is the better man. In 2004, I voted for Kerry because I was fighting Bush. Also, do not forget that the media is monopolized by the Jews. They tell you what they want you to believe and not the truth.
Oo kano ako nga hilaw
Lol, you are quite delusional of a person, I say. Propaganda ang objective mo kasi it goes along well with your lack of knowledge pero you don't mine bumping your gums like you know what you are talking about, so by all means continue. Kumedyante kaba? Taka lang ka ug yaw2 diha! To answer your question, yes I am an American and I am also a Pinoy of the worse kind. I have seen the worse part of world for what it is, and we Americans are not your enemies, it's yourself! Trust me on that.........
Samgul's arrogance and ignorance
First, Smagul is an American, you cannot expect him to be true for the Filipinos. Second, Smagul should know that the effect of their "helping" Filipinos against the Japanese is far worse than that of the Japanese. Decades have passed under US "kindness", and Filipinos are getting more and more miserable everyday. Third, Smagul does not know that the Zionist masters of the US were the ones created Japanese imprialism, just as they created Al-Qaeda today. Fourth, the Pearl Harbor bombing was a false flag ops done by Zionists the same way they did to 9-11 WTC bombing. Wake up, mga kababayan ko.
L
I think you are the one who's missing the point. Your statement in regards to the US are totally a misconception in your belief or teaching. We are an international society here and we don't take it kindly when you insult US and our principles in comparison to your backward belief. Again we Americans are international society, who the hell are you to judge us when you guys haven't given up a drop of blood to protect those who can't defend themselves, who haven't given to the world community in time of needs and those who haven't done anything for human rights. We respect everyone belief here in regards to their colors, religion and beliefs. Where is your respect to the home of the free? How many of your country men have died in the US soil to protect our way of life? And how many Americans have died to give you the rights to criticize our way of life? Think before you insult us again!
Yeah we R evil
Just imagine Toink, sitting on his behind whining about capitalist who offer him a different view as the world decayed with imperialistic idiots and radical pricks who suppresses another human being and complain about democracy, while in truth you wish you could wear the color that don't run. Perhaps the US should have let the Japs have their way with you morons. To be honest with you, I wish we didn't help, but it's our way. The day you can pick up your weapons and fight for what you believed and those who can't protect themselves, then you can talk to me about what is right. Else you are just a coward behind the keyboard who knows jack shit of the world you live. As we say in the US, we don't start a fight but will surely finish it, so bring it on bitches!
One more thing, what exactly has your cause offered to the world when the world needs it? And with your accusation if they were true in those country that you speak of, why limit ourselves with Iraq and Afghanistan? You see, ignorance is truly bliss and you are as I say clueless!
So here we are, longing for education in a capitalistic indoctrination and enjoying the life style that it offers. Yet we find a way to complain and hate without understanding those evidence whether they are true or not, just out of convenience. You are not really a thinker are you?
JUST IMAGINE WHO SMAGUL IS : )
.
Smagul is one such loyal blind follower of US.
Imagine Smagul clad in American Flag with mask representing “Uncle Sam”. His fellow other blind follower with flags of PHILIPPINES, India, South Korea, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Colombia, Honduras, etc. having blind folded following Uncle Sam. This showed how these countries are blindly implementing the polices of the imperial powers blindly.
Imperialist Economy: War on developing countries in the name of fake war on terror: same uncle SAM points a Missile on people laying on floor with names IRAQ, CUBA, VENEZUELA, CHILE, MEXICO, IRAN and AFGHANISTAN, MALAYSIA, SOUTH KOREA, BURMA, CHINA, RUSSIA, SERBIA, UKRAINE, SOUTH OSSETIA, VIETNAM, ETC.
Privatization of education: Private universities and colleges selling various degrees like MBA, BE, MCA, MBBS etc. depicting the commercialization and Privatization of education.
Consumerism: The exaggerated advertisements of useless products of Multi-National Corp. are exploiting young generation to fill the stomach of market forces. Ironically, there was also a banner showing “Stop becoming Shopaholic, start living.
Injustice: Hundred rich, billion poor- the poor depicted by an Erap mask and the rich depicted by the masks of Gloria, Gibo, Noynoy, Villar, Gordon. Other having some rich person mask (Danding, Sabit Singson, Saludo, Gonzalez) and other having poor face. Both were holding a banner- “is this unity in diversity?”
MABUHAY ANG PWERSA NG MASA!!! :)
Smagul and Ohmarski
Smagul, you can not stand to a discussion without resorting to calling the person you are referring to deragatory names. Don't even talk to me nor make comments on my posts!
and Ohmarski, I'm sorry you missed the whole point.