Lawyer denies Ampatuan in massacre planning

KIDAPAWAN CITY -- The lawyer of former Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (Armm) governor Datu Zaldy Ampatuan has denied claims that his client was present when the plan to kill members of the Mangudadatu clan was hatched at the Ampatuans' residence in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao on November 22.

Lawyer Redemberto R. Villanueva, counsel of Datu Zaldy, said the claim of Kenny Dalandag that his client was present during the meeting that ended 2 p.m., Nov 22 "was completely false."

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His client, he said, was at the Ampatuans' residence at Juna Subdivision in Matina, Davao City from Nov 20 until Nov 22. On the 23rd, his client flew to Manila for a meeting at the Malacanang.

Dalandag, in his affidavit, admitted he was part of the private army of former Maguindanao governor Datu Andal Ampatuan, the father of Datu Zaldy.

Villanueva filed a petition for review of the joint resolution of Department of Justice (DOJ) prosecutors that found probable cause to charge Zaldy Ampatuan with multiple murder.

"It would be unjust to charge an innocent man with a grisly crime. Zaldy Ampatuan is incapable of bilocality. He simply cannot be in two places at the same time," he argued.

Villanueva also argued that the case against the Armm governor "sinks or swims on the basis of the Dalandag affidavit, which never claimed that Zaldy Ampatuan did any overt act that would show he was involved in the alleged killings."

Datu Zaldy was accused of the crime solely on the supposed strength of Dalandag's affidavit, his lawyer said. (MC Manar)