Mangudadatu brother faces probe over slay try-gmanews.tv

Home > Regions > Mindanao 03/22/2011 | 03:38 P M Share7 Ibrahim "Diong" Mangudadatu, mayor of Buluan town in Maguindanao province, is facing a Department of Justice inquiry for his alleged involvement in the ambush on Maguindanao provincial prosecutor Akilali Balt. On Monday, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima issued Department Order No. 200 ordering Assistant State Prosecutors Vimar Barcellano and prosecution attorneys Gerard Gaerlan and Mark Roland Estepa to conduct the preliminary investigation against Mangudadatu. "The aforementioned prosecutors are likewise directed to conduct the preliminary investigation of the said case, insofar as Mayor Ibrahim "Diong" Mangudadatu is concerned, and to file the appropriate informations in the proper court and handle its active prosecution, if evidence so warrants," said De Lima. Ibrahim Mangudadatu is the brother of Maguindanao Gov. Esmael "Toto" Mangudadatu, who lost his wife, relatives, and supporters in the gruesome Nov. 23, 2009 massacre allegedly ordered by the rival Ampatuan clan. GMA News Online made several calls to the Maguindanao governor to get his family's reaction on the alleged involvement of Ibrahim in the foiled plan to kill the prosecutor. However, Esmael could not be reached as of posting time. Balt was on his way home last week when two motorcycle-riding men fired at him and his driver Dandan Balt Datu Dakula. The driver incurred slight injuries while Balt sustained injuries in his lower right ear, lower right neck, and right forearm. They were immediately brought to a local hospital, where the prosecutor remains in critical condition. At a news briefing on Tuesday, De Lima said Balt is still in comatose and is fighting for his life. She added that Ibrahim Mangudadatu could be the brains behind the attack on Balt because Akmad Makakena Maliga, the gunman arrested by local authorities, had confessed that the Buluan town mayor ordered him to kill Balt. She added that Maliga will be placed under the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) custody in Manila because his life may be in danger in Maguindanao. "For as long as he is there, his life is in danger," said the Justice chief. — Sophia Dedace/RSJ/KBK, GMA New