ShareThisJune 2, 2010 COTABATO CITY – Freddie Aguilar, the country’s most popular folk singer, escaped unhurt when the makeshift stage collapsed during a concert Sunday in Buluan, Maguindanao. The concert was in commemoration of the 6th month anniversary of Maguindanao massacre Sunday night. Aguilar was singing his latest piece, “Maguindanao,” when a portion of the makeshift stage gave way at about 8 p.m. He was unharmed. 
Maguindanao Governor-elect Ismael “Toto” Mangudadatu, who brought Aguilar and his cast to Buluan, said the incident did not stop the famous folk singer to entertain Maguindanaons, mostly Mangudadatu’s supporters. He said he invited Aguilar to Buluan because of his newly released album that tells the story about Maguindanao. Mangudadatu’s wife, two sisters, two lawyers and about 30 journalists who were to file his certificate of candidacy for the gubernatorial race were massacred in Ampatuan on November 23.
The massacre, now known as Ampatuan massacre, was the most bloody single election related incident in the country. Mangudadatu blamed Andal Ampatuan Sr. of Mamasapano town, son and namesake of former Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr. Ampatuan Sr. and six of his sons were charged with multiple murder and are now detained at Taguig detention facilities in Metro Manila.
Mangudadatu, who won overwhelmingly last election, vowed to pursue healing and reconciliation and believed one thing to achieve it is through music, thus he brought Aguilar in the province.