Murder charges filed in massacre

MANILA, Philippines, Dec. 1 (UPI) -- The Philippine Department of Justice filed murder charges against Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. in last week's massacre in Maguindanao, officials said.

Chief State Prosecutor Jovencito Zuno said Tuesday he expected more counts would be filed as reports on the massacre victims were made available, the Philippine Daily Inquirer reported.

General Santos City Prosecutor Edilberto Jamora, who filed the charges against Ampatuan, the son of Maguidanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr., also submitted 22 cases before the Cotabato regional court, the newspaper said.

Ampatuan is believed to be the mastermind behind the abductions and deaths of 57 people as they were going to file nominating petitions for Ismael Mangudadatu. He faces 25 counts of murder.

The younger Ampatuan allegedly led 100 armed men who flagged down six vehicles carrying the people and killed them, statements made by three men in a car at the rear of the convoy indicated. The witnesses submitted their statements during an inquest, the newspaper said.

Mangudadatu and his brother Ibrahim Mangudadatu, also submitted affidavits about the massacre, copies of which were obtained by the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

In his document, Esmael Mangudadatu said he received a call from his wife, Genalin, telling him more than 100 armed men were blocking their way.

When he asked who was blocking the convoy, his wife replied "Unsay is near ... He slapped me."

Then the phone call was cut, he said.