Zaldy Ampatuan absolves self, blames his father, brother in Maguindanao massacre

TAGUIG CITY – Maguindanao massacre principal suspect Rizaldy “Zaldy” Ampatuan has started talking about the massacre, pointing out that he did not participate in the planning and in the killings of 57 people, 32 of them media workers.

Zaldy turned against his father and brother, claiming that they were responsible for the gruesome crime together with the other accused.

Zaldy also claimed that he and his family were part of the plot of then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to tamper the elections in Mindanao to ensure the victory of Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri over bar topnotcher Coco Pimentel, son of former Sen. Aquilino Pimentel Jr.

The massacre is the worst act of political violence in the Philippines and was publicized worldwide. A total of 196 people have been charged with multiple murder, 90 of whom are in custody, and 58 have been arraigned. More than 50 others are still at large.

The principal suspect, former town Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., and his father have pleaded not guilty.

Lakmodin Saliao, long time helper of the Ampatuans, had turned against the clan and  testified in court how those accused had planned and carried out the attack on the electoral convoy of Esmael “Toto” Mangundadatu — the opponent of Andal Ampatuan Jr. for Maguindanao’s gubernatorial seat in the May 2010 elections.