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A decade of wait: Where are key personalities in the Maguindanao massacre now?

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Arianne Merez, ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA - After 10 long years, justice may finally come for victims of the gruesome Maguindanao massacre, which claimed 58 lives, including those of 32 journalists.</p><p>Next month, Quezon City Regional Trial Court Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes is expected to hand down a decision on what has been dubbed as the single deadliest event for journalists in world history.</p><p>Here are some of the key personalities who figured in the case and its backdrop:</p><div><strong>1. ESMAEL &quot;TOTO&quot; MANGUDADATU</strong></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/reuters/11/15/0120627_ampatuan_mangudadatu-rtr.jpg"/><figcaption><em>ABS-CBN News/File</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>Mangudadatu was running for governor of Maguindanao, challenging the long-reigning Ampatuan clan, when the massacre happened in the province. His family, aides, and several journalists were supposed to accompany him in filing a certificate of candidacy when the attack happened. He served for three terms as governor of Maguindanao after the massacre.</p><p> He currently represents the 2nd district of Maguindanao in the House of Representatives. </p><div><strong>2. ANDAL AMPATUAN SR.</strong></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/news/01/26/20170126-andal-ampatuan-sr-1.jpg"/><figcaption><em>ABS-CBN News/File</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>Andal Sr., the powerful patriarch of the Ampatuan clan in Maguindanao, stood trial for supposedly masterminding the massacre. His sons Zaldy and Andal Jr., were accused of ordering the attack.</p><p>Andal Sr. passed away in 2015 due to liver cancer while in police custody.</p><div><strong>3. ZALDY AMPATUAN</strong></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/news/08/22/20180822-090911_zaldya.jpg"/><figcaption><em>Screengrab</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>A former governor of the then Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, now the Bangsamoro region, Zaldy, as well as his brother Andal Jr., was accused of ordering the ambush.</p><p>His bail plea has repeatedly been rejected and he has been confined in the Makati Medical Center since Oct. 22 after reportedly suffering a stroke.</p><div><strong>4. ANDAL AMPATUAN JR.</strong></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/news/05/01/050117-andal.jpg"/><figcaption><em>Screengrab</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>Ampatuan Jr. was the former mayor of Datu Unsay, Maguindanao, whose gubernatorial bid was challenged by Esmael &quot;Toto&quot; Mangudadatu in 2009, which allegedly triggered the order to execute those who joined the group that would file Mangudadatu&#x27;s certificate of candidacy.</p><p>He and his brother were accused of ordering the ambush against Mangudadatu&#x27;s convoy.</p><p>The court has junked his bail plea and he has been detained at the National Bureau of Investigation since 2009.</p><div><strong>5. DATU SAJID ISLAM AMPATUAN</strong></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/news/05/16/051617_sajid.jpg"/><figcaption><em>Screengrab</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>A former Maguindanao governor, Datu Sajid is also a son of Andal Ampatuan Sr. who was also implicated in the massacre. He was released from jail in 2015 after posting an P11.6-million bail for 58 counts of murder.</p><p>However, in March, the court sentenced him to prison over an anomalous P38-million school project.</p><div><strong>6. DATU SAUDI AMPATUAN JR.</strong></div><p>Saudi Jr., former mayor of Datu Saudi Ampatuan town in Maguindanao, is among those implicated in the massacre. His mother Bai Soraida Biruar-Ampatuan sought the help of Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo over his case in July this year.</p><p>Saudi Jr. remains at large.</p><div><strong>7. SALVADOR PANELO</strong></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/news-special1/nation/06/15/061516-panelo.jpg"/><figcaption><em>ABS-CBN News/File</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>Panelo served as defense lawyer of Andal Ampatuan Jr. in 2014 but withdrew from the case only after a year, citing personal reasons.</p><p>He is currently spokesperson and chief legal counsel of President Rodrigo Duterte. In September, he admitted that the Ampatuans sought his help over the massacre case.</p><div><strong>8. HARRY ROQUE</strong></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/news/09/20/20181204-elections-senator-0280.jpg"/><figcaption><em>ABS-CBN News/File</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>Roque, a human rights lawyer, served as counsel for relatives of some of the victims in the massacre. He held a seat in the House of Representatives for Kabayan Party-list in 2016 but was removed the following year over alleged &quot;dishonorable behavior.&quot;</p><p>Roque was named presidential spokesperson in October 2017. He resigned his post a year later, initially saying he was being fielded as another party-list group&#x27;s nominee. He, however, ran for Senator, but withdrew in February this year after undergoing a heart procedure.</p><div><strong>8. GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO</strong></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/news/07/24/20180724_gma02.jpg"/><figcaption><em>ABS-CBN News/File</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>Arroyo was Philippine president when the massacre happened, which prompted her to place Maguindanao province under a state of martial law.</p><p>The Ampatuans were known allies of Arroyo and were members of her political party, Lakas-Kampi-CMD, which voted to expel members of the powerful clan after the attack.</p><p>After stepping down from the presidency in 2010, Arroyo ran for a congressional seat as 2nd District representative of her home province Pampanga.</p><p>In 2018, she was elected as the first female House Speaker, a post she kept until the end of her term in June.</p>

<p>Here are some key personalities who figured in the Ampatuan massacre and its backdrop 10 years ago, and where they are now.</p>

Here are some key personalities who figured in the Ampatuan massacre and its backdrop 10 years ago, and where they are now.

A decade of wait: Where are key personalities in the Maguindanao massacre now?

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A decade of wait: Where are key personalities in the Maguindanao massacre now?

Arianne Merez,

ABS-CBN News

Published Nov 22, 2019 07:08 PM PHT

|

Updated Nov 22, 2019 07:56 PM PHT

Read More:

Maguindanao Massacre

Ampatuan

Andal Ampatuan Sr.

Andal Ampatuan Jr.

Esmael Mangudadatu

Zaldy Ampatuan

Datu Sajid Islam Ampatuan

Datu Saudi Ampatuan

Salvador Panelo

Harry Roque

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