By Aquiles Zonio, Jeffrey M. Tupas, Inquirer Mindanao, Marlon Ramos
Philippine Daily Inquirer
When the Ampatuan clan was still the most powerful political family in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, its members—led by patriarch Andal Sr.—always flew first class.
On Friday, they had a humbling experience.
Andal Sr., his sons Zaldy, Sajid and Anwar, and nephew Akmad were flown to Manila aboard a Philippine Air Force C130 military transport plane after lawyers of the Maguindanao patriarch failed in their bid to delay his transfer to Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig City.
The five Ampatuans are among 197 people charged with murder in connection with the killing last November of 57 people—including 31 media workers—in what has become known as the Maguindanao massacre.
In a kind of family “reunion,†the five will join fellow accused Andal Jr., who was moved to Camp Bagong Diwa the other day.
The Ampatuans used to enjoy a reputation of being “untouchable†political allies of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
The C130 transport plane initially fetched Zaldy Ampatuan, the suspended ARMM governor, his brothers Sajid and Anwar and cousin Akmad from General Santos City, where they had been held since December.
Powerful escorts
Earlier Friday, Nestor Rivera, sheriff of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221, which handles the murder cases against the Ampatuans, arrived at the office of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in General Santos City to serve the commitment order.
Rivera was accompanied by private prosecutors Nena Santos and Prima Quinsayas.
It took them four and a half hours to convince the CIDG to turn the Ampatuans over to them.
Policemen, backed by a platoon of soldiers and two armored personnel carriers, escorted the vehicles carrying Zaldy, Sajid, Akmad and Anwar to the airport, where the C130 plane was waiting.
Senior Supt. Marcelo Pintac, General Santos City police chief, said the transfer came as a surprise because they had not been informed in advance.
Linkback:
https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=26949.0
Topic: Ampatuans Always Fly First Class (Read 1524 times)