MANILA, KOMPAS.com - The hit man became the main witness in a political massacre that occurred in the southern Philippines in 2009. The court process for the tragedy that killed 57 people was complex and very scary place.
The three witnesses and three family members of other witnesses, who plans to testify in court, had been killed. "Now at least 10 witnesses are still alive are placed under the protection of the Justice Department," said Esmael Mangudadatu, politicians in the southern Philippines, a wife and two sisters were killed in political massacres.
Ampatuan family, which dominate the position of governors and regents in the Province Manguindanao, southern Philippines, is a political rival who tried to challenge the existence Mangudadatu Ampatuan in elections some time ago.
Fearing the destruction of their political dynasty in the southern Philippines, the Ampatuans, from father to children, planning the murder of his family and political supporters of Mangudadatu in a way, which is also accompanied by several reporters.
Mangudadatu added, beyond the 10 witnesses are protected, there are a number of witnesses who now live in fear and live cat and mouse with assassin. Presumably, these assassins and hired still haunt the Ampatuans, the so-called close to former Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
"These witnesses live in fear and sooner or later there will be further killings," said Mangudadatu, which also includes the protection of the Department of Justice.
"I can not move freely now, "said Mangudadatu, who is often traveling between Manila and Provincial Manguindanao.
Ampatuan Junior and his father, as well as members of the clan, was among 197 people who tried.Nearly 100 people from 197 defendants were the members of the militia Ampatuans. However, most of the militia could not be arrested.
Of the tedakwa that can not be arrested, some still occupy important posts in government in the southern Philippines.
Mangudadatu Manguindanao later was elected governor, but not based in the province for fear of murder victims as well.
Threatened
Catherine Nunez (50) is a mother with a son named Victor, a journalist who was also killed in the massacre. Nunez said the families of the victims killed were also threatened.
"Maybe they want to massacre case was not continued. I'm afraid there is no protection if they would hurt my other two children also," said Nunez.
Among the witnesses who had died were Amil Enog Esmail, a former employee at the Ampatuans, who had testified in court. Enog disappeared in March 2012, but his body was later found.
Enog leadership, Ampatuan family members, who are willing to be witnesses also shot dead. A militia who want to testify was also killed in 2010.
Editor:
Marcus Suprihadi
