Andal Ampatuan, Jr.

Andal Ampatuan, Jr.
Born 15 August 1960 (1960-08-15) (age 51)
Charge(s) Indicted on seven criminal counts, including multiple mass murder,[1] treason, disloyalty to the Philippines, high treason, bribery
Status In prison
Occupation Former Mayor of Datu Unsay, Maguindanao
Spouse Bai Zandria S. Ampatuan
Parents Gov. Datu Andal S. Ampatuan Sr. (father)
Bai Laila Uy-Ampatuan (mother)

Andal Ampatuan, Jr. (born 15 August 1960[2][3]) is the former mayor of Datu Unsay, Maguindanao. He is the son of patriarch Andal Ampatuan Sr., and his family continues to represent a powerful force in Mindanao politics.[4] His brother, Zaldy Ampatuan, is the regional governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Accused in 2009 Maguindanao Massacre

Ampatuan came to international attention in November 2009 as a result of the Maguindanao massacre. He was to run for governor of the province against Esmael Mangudadatu in the 2010 elections. However, Mangudadatu's female relatives and a group of journalists were ambushed and killed in the massacre, and Ampatuan Jr. quickly became the prime suspect.[5] A member of the ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD party, he and his father and brother were expelled by party chairman Gilberto Teodoro due to the massacre.[6] He surrendered to Filipino authorities and was charged with murder.[7] He has denied any involvement,[8] though several witnesses have gone on record stating that they saw him at the scene of the crime.[9] In September 2010 he went on trial as the prime suspect in the massacre.

Personal life

He is the second son of Gov. Datu Andal S. Ampatuan Sr. and Bai Laila Uy-Ampatuan. He is married to Bai Zandria S. Ampatuan.

References

  1. ^ "Ampatuan charged with multiple murder at DoJ". Philippine Daily Inquirer. 25 November 2009. http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20091126-238506/Ampatuan-charged-with-multiple-murder. Retrieved 10 January 2010. 
  2. ^ Al jazeera: Profile: Andal Ampatuan Jr
  3. ^ Manila Times: Profile: Vice Mayor Esmael ‘Toto’ Mangudadatu, line 11. 1 January 2010. Retrieved 13 February 2010.
  4. ^ Ampatuans, Mangudadatus were allies for decades. Philippine Inquirer. 23 November 2009.
  5. ^ Conde, Carlos H.; Norimitsu Onishi (25 November 2009). "Suspect in Philippine Election Killings Surrenders". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/26/world/asia/26phils.html. Retrieved 26 November 2009. 
  6. ^ Ubac, Michael Lim (25 November 2009). "3 Ampatuans expelled from admin party". INQUIRER.net. http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20091125-238331/3-Ampatuans-expelled-from-admin-party. Retrieved 27 November 2009. 
  7. ^ Tran, Mark (26 November 2009). "Philippines massacre: police charge local politician with murder". BBC News. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/nov/26/philippines-massacre-politician-charged. Retrieved 26 November 2009. 
  8. ^ Sisante, Johanna (26 November 2009). "Andal Ampatuan Jr. denies hand in Maguindanao massacre". GMA News and Public Affairs. http://www.gmanews.tv/story/177868/andal-ampatuan-jr-denies-hand-in-maguindanao-massacre. Retrieved 26 November 2009. 
  9. ^ More witnesses link Ampatuan Jr. to massacre. ABS-CBN News. 27 November 2009.