Fri, December 04, 2009
MANILA, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- Philippine government prosecutors have subpoenaed Friday six members of the Ampatuan family over their alleged involvement in the November 23 Maguindanao massacre that claimed 57 lives including journalists and members of a rival political clan.
The subpoena was served in connection with the multiple murder case filed by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group on Wednesday.
Assistant Chief State Prosecutor Richard Anthony Fadullon said those subpoenaed were clan patriarch and former Maguindanao Governor Andal Ampatuan, Sr.; Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan, Jr.,: Andal Sr.'s grandson Datu Ulo Ampatuan; Salibo Mayor Bahnarin Ampatuan; Salibo Vice Mayor Datu Kanor Ampatuan; and Tony Kenis Ampatuan, police auxiliary of Shariff Aguak town.
Fadullon added that they also subpoenaed several police officials and citizen militia including Muhamad Sangki, Tammy Masukat, police auxiliary Tumi Timba Abas and Abbey Guiadem, former police chief of Datu Unsay town.
Philippine Acting Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera said the respondents will have to submit their counter affidavits during the preliminary investigation, which has been set at 10:00 a.m. on Dec.18.
Members of the powerful Ampatuan family were suspected to be behind the Maguindanao massacre.
State prosecutors have charged Andal Jr. with multiple counts of murder. Andal Jr. He is now in the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation.
