Toto Mangudadatu: I have forgiven Ampatuan massacre suspects

Maguindanao Second District Representative Esmael "Toto" Mangudadatu on Friday said he has forgiven the people, including Ampatuan clan members, who allegedly killed his wife, relatives, supporters, and dozens of journalists nearly 10 years ago.

After years of insisting he would not forgive, Mangudadatu said his children recently convinced him to move on, especially in light of a forthcoming trial court decision that he is confident would be damning to the suspects.

"Nung sinabi ng mga anak ko na 'Pa, mag-move on ka na dahil walang katapusang problema 'yung papasanin mo,'" the former Maguindanao governor said at a news forum in Manila.

"Naka-move on na rin pero ang inaasam-asam natin [ay] 'yung hustisya. At kung tanungin niyo ko kung napatawad, napatawad ko na sila," he added.

He said he has relatives who married Ampatuans. "Hindi naman lahat ng Ampatuan ay masama," he said.

On November 23, 2009, a convoy composed of relatives, supporters, and media were on their way to file Mangudadatu's certificate of candidacy for the 2010 elections when they were stopped by armed men, driven to a hill, shot, and buried in shallow pits.

Fifty-eight people, including 32 journalists and six motorists who were not part of the convoy, were killed in what is the worst case of election-related violence in Philippine history.

Fifteen of the original 197 accused of the murders were surnamed Ampatuan, according to court records.

Quezon City Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes, who oversaw the 9-year trial, is expected to issue a decision before December 20.

Like the lawyer for many of the victims' families, Mangugudatu said he is confident the judge will convict the accused, so much so that he claimed he would resign from his congressman's seat in case of an adverse ruling.

"Ako, kampante ako na makukuha natin," he said. "Pag wala, ako magre-resign. Buti pa mag-rido na lang dun," referring to violent clan feuds, but quickly clarified that his clan is not going in that direction because they are sure they would get justice.

"Hindi naman. Kasi as much as possible ayaw namin ng ganun. Kaya nga ako nag-chairman ng reconciliation and unification committee eh kasi ayoko ng ganun eh," he said. — RSJ, GMA News