Maguindanao head fiscal dies 3 weeks after ambush

MANILA, Philippines - After nearly three weeks of battling to survive, the head fiscal of Maguindanao who was ambushed by the alleged men of a brother of Maguin­danao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu, died yesterday morning.

Provincial prosecutor Akilali Balt expired at the Capitol University Medical Hospital in Cagayan de Oro City at around 8:08 a.m., Prosecutor General Claro Arellano said.

Arellano said Balt’s condition had improved in the past weeks but he went into a coma several days before he died.

The National Prosecution Service of the Department of Justice (DOJ) headed by Arellano extended condolences to Balt’s family.

“We deeply grieve the loss of Prosecutor Balt who expired today after courageously fighting for his life for weeks when he was shot in Cotabato City last March. In behalf of the National Prosecution Service, I convey my personal condolences to his bereaved family,” Arellano said in a statement.

Arellano vowed to “exert all efforts to bring the perpetrators of this barbaric crime to justice.”

The DOJ has started the preliminary investigation into the extrajudicial confession of arrested gunman Acmad Makakena Maliga that Mayor Ibrahim Mangudadatu of Buluan town was allegedly behind the attack.

A team composed of Assistant State Prosecutor Vimar Barcellano and prosecution lawyers Gerard Gaerlan and Mark Roland Estepa was tapped to conduct the preliminary investigation into the letter-complaint of Balt’s daughter Aminah against the mayor.

The panel was also tapped to take over the prosecution of the case against Maliga, whose custody was being transferred to Manila.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima earlier said she learned that Balt and Mayor Mangudadatu had had a fight, but she refused to elaborate.

In his five-page affidavit subscribed last March 18, Maliga was asked by Assistant City Prosecutor Tocod Ronda in Filipino: “I will repeat, who ordered your group to shoot and kill Fiscal Balt of Maguindanao?”

The suspect then replied: “Si Mayor Ibrahim Diong Mangudadatu.”

Last March 15, Balt was on his way home aboard his service vehicle with his driver Dandan Balt Datu Dakula when two motorcycle-riding men appeared on their side in a red light and suddenly opened fire at them.

Balt sustained gunshot wounds in the lower right ear, lower right neck and right forearm.

The ambush happened along the highway in Rosary Heights, Mother Barangay in Cotabato City.

Authorities have traced the getaway motorcycle and found it registered under the name of a certain Asma Samaon.