Andal Ampatuan Jr.
Andal "Datu Unsay" Uy Ampatuan Jr. (born August 15, 1976) is a former Philippine politician who previously served as the mayor of the town of Datu Unsay, Maguindanao, and convicted criminal. He is the son of patriarch Andal Ampatuan Sr., and his family continues to represent a powerful force in Mindanao politics.[2] His brother, Zaldy Ampatuan, was the regional governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). On December 19, 2019, he was convicted, alongside his brother Zaldy Ampatuan and other co-accused, of 57 counts of murder and sentenced by Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221 Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes to reclusión perpetua.[3]
Andal Ampatuan Jr. | |
---|---|
Born | [1] Cotabato City, Philippines | August 15, 1976
Other names | Datu Unsay |
Occupation | Former Mayor of Datu Unsay, Maguindanao |
Political party | Independent (2009–present) Lakas-CMD (1993–2009) |
Criminal status | Currently incarcerated at the New Bilibid Prison, Muntinlupa, Philippines |
Spouse(s) | Bai Reshal Santiago-Ampatuan |
Parent(s) | Datu Andal S. Ampatuan, Sr. (father) Bai Laila Uy-Ampatuan (mother) |
Conviction(s) | 57 counts of mass murder |
Criminal penalty | Reclusion perpetua without parole (maximum of 40 years) |
Role in the 2009 Maguindanao massacre
Ampatuan came to international attention in November 2009 as a result of the Maguindanao massacre. He was planning 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 quickly became the prime suspect.[4] 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.[5] He surrendered to Filipino authorities and was charged with murder.[6] He has denied any involvement,[7] though several witnesses have gone on record stating that they saw him at the scene of the crime.[8] In September 2010 he went on trial as the prime suspect in the massacre. Ampatuan, through his emissaries, was already under fire for bribing the relatives of the massacre.[9]
Personal life
He is the 8th child of Andal Ampatuan Sr. and Bai Laila Uy-Ampatuan.
References
- MERUEÑAS, MARK (August 19, 2011). "Tacurong car bomb a birthday 'gift' for Gov. Toto Mangudadatu?". GMA News. Retrieved January 13, 2020.}}
- Ampatuans, Mangudadatus were allies for decades Archived November 26, 2009, at the Wayback Machine. Philippine Inquirer. November 23, 2009.
- "Maguindanao massacre: Andal Jr., Zaldy Ampatuan convicted; brother walks free". CNN Philippines. December 19, 2019. Retrieved January 13, 2020.|first1= Eimor |last1=Santos|first2=Lara|last2= Tan|first3= Melissa |last3=Lopez}}
- Conde, Carlos H.; Norimitsu Onishi (November 25, 2009). "Suspect in Philippine Election Killings Surrenders". The New York Times. Retrieved November 26, 2009.
- Ubac, Michael Lim (November 25, 2009). "3 Ampatuans expelled from admin party". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved November 27, 2009.
- Tran, Mark (November 26, 2009). "Philippines massacre: police charge local politician with murder". BBC News. Retrieved November 26, 2009.
- Sisante, Johanna (November 26, 2009). "Andal Ampatuan Jr. denies hand in Maguindanao massacre". GMA News and Public Affairs. Retrieved November 26, 2009.
- More witnesses link Ampatuan Jr. to massacre. ABS-CBN News. November 27, 2009.
- "Ampatuans trying to bribe witnesses – DoJ". July 14, 2010. Archived from the original on July 17, 2010. Retrieved January 13, 2020.|first1=Norman |last1=Bordadora|newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer}}