PHILIPPINE NEWS SERVICE — A fourth witness presented by government prosecutors yesterday tagged Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan, Jr., his father, former Maguindanao Governor Andal Ampatuan, Sr. and some close relatives and local police officers as those behind the killing of 57 people, including 30 journalists, last November 23.
Muhammad Sangki, a Sangguniang Bayan member of Abdulah Sangki town in Maguindanao said he witnessed how armed men led by Ampatuan Sr. and Chief Inspector Sukarno Dicay beat the victims as they lay on the ground. He identified Dicay through a file photo presented by the prosecution. “Pinagsisipa po niya ’yung mga pasahero,” he said after identifying the officer whom he said was in camouflage uniform and armed with an M-16 rifle.
Sangki said he also saw Ampatuan Jr. and Datu Kanor Ampatuan, the vice mayor of Salibo town forcing two women into a black Revo.
“The two gave instructions to their men to get the wallets and phone of the passengers. Iniisa-isa din silang kilalanin, tinataas ang mga mukha nila ni Ampatuan Jr.,” he said.
Sangki said he later saw the passengers being forced to board their vans.
He said he left and after 20-30 minutes, heard gunshots which he was certain came from Sitio Masalay which is about two kilometers away.
“The gunfire lasted for 20-30 minutes. Kinabahan po ako. Naramdaman ko na baka pinagbabaril na ’yung mga taong dumaan,” he said.
Sangki said he later learned from his nephew Ampatuan town Vice Mayor Rasul Sangki that the people in the Mangudadatu convoy had been killed. “Tinanong ko siya kung anong nangyayari. Sinabi po niya na panagbabaril na ’yung mga pasahero ng convoy ng mga taong pinangungunahan ni Datu Unsay Jr., Datu Kanor, Datu Uka at Datu Bani,” he said.
He identified Datu Uka as Sukarno Badal, the vice mayor of Sultan Sabarongis town.