Massacre witness: Andal Jr. frisked people from convoy
MANILA, Philippines – A witness said former Datu Unsay mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. himself frisked people from the Mangudadatu convoy on the morning of the Maguindanao massacre last Nov. 23.
Norodin Zailon Mauyag, a resident of Sitio Malatin, told Quezon City Regional Trial court judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes that the younger Ampatuan checked if any mobile phones were left with the people from the convoy while gunmen pointed their firearms at the victims.
Mauyag said Andal Jr. ordered the people to lie face down while he frisked them.
He added that the victims, which included 32 journalists, were earlier herded up by Datu Kanor Ampatuan, uncle of Andal Jr., and his men at a canteen near the national highway.
Aside from Datu Kanor, suspended Police Chief Inspector Sukarno Dicay was also at the checkpoint set up at the highway to stop the convoy of the Mangudadatus, Mauyag said.
He also testified that he saw eight vehicles stopped by Datu Kanor and his men at the checkpoint that day. Among the vehicles was a UNTV network white pickup truck, the witness added.
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