Ampatuan scion denies clan involved in Mamasapano clash

 

It was earlier reported that a private army supposedly of the Ampatuans were among the armed groups that engaged the Philippine National Police Special Action Force in the bloody gunfight.

 

According to Ampatuan, it was unlikely that the family would side with the Moro Islamic Liberaton Front or Filipino bomber Basit Usman since their family has a grudge against them

 

“Ang kapatid ko po si late mayor Datu Saudi Ampatuan ng Datu Piang ay binomba nila Basit Usman na kung saan namatay 'yung kapatid ko at labing pitong kasamahan niya po,” Ampatuan said.

 

“On record yan hindi naitago yan kaya imposibleng kami ay malilink o masasama sa MILF or kela Basit Usman,” he continued.

 

Ampatuan's statement comes two months after the Mamasapano clash where at least 60 were killed including 44 police commandos in a covert police mission.

 

He also denied the claim of Maguindanao Governor Esmael Mangudadatu who said he went to Cotabato right after posting bail.

 

Ampatuan said he had only so far stayed din Metro Manila and was limiting his movements since he had received threats to his security.

 

He also asked the public not to condemn their whole clan for the Maguindanao massacre. He said it pained him to know that actor Robin Padilla, also a muslim has already prejudged them.

 

Padilla earlier stated in social media that there was no effective justice system in the country following Ampatuan's release.

 

Ampatuan is the brother of Maguindanao massacre principal suspect Andal Ampatuan Jr. He posted an P11 million bail for 58 cases connected to the Maguindanao Massacre last 2009 where at least 30 journalists and also the wife and relatives of Mangudadatu were brutally slain. —NB, GMA News