Murder complaint filed vs Maguindanao del Norte governor, mayor

GENERAL SANTOS, Philippines – The family of a defeated mayoral candidate shot dead in Maguindanao del Norte in September has filed a murder complaint against Governor Fatima Ainee Sinsuat, her husband Lester, and 35 others in connection with the killing.

Lester, the mayor of Datu Odin Sinsuat town and a former Maguindanao vice governor, said on Thursday, November 17, that he and his wife will face the accusations squarely, and respond to the allegations in the complaint.

The lawyer of the victim’s family, Kevin Batulan, said they filed the complaint against the Sinsuat couple, former Datu Odin Sinsuat town police chief Lieutenant Colonel Erwin Tabora, and more than 30 others – mostly cops – last week.

The victim, Jamael Sinsuat, was a barangay chairman in Datu Odin Sinsuat town who ran for mayor against his nephew Lester in May.

Jamael was killed in broad daylight shortly after he left a mosque in the town center on September 30.

Lester confirmed that his lawyers already received a copy of the murder complaint filed by Jamael’s widow Monessa Sinsuat, and that they are preparing to answer the allegations.

“It is the right of anyone to file a case, and we are prepared to respond in a legal way to bring out the truth,” he said.

Aside from the Sinsuat couple and the former police chief, the other respondents in the murder complaint are the following:

• Anwat Flex Salem
• Giyadsali Klaw
• Akmad Ladsikan
• Sultan Dagadas
• Powa Dagadas
• Mamasalido Pedtukasan
• Major Pablo Boloy
• Master Sergeant Lambay Ambolodto
• Staff Sergeant Benjamin Bedo
• Staff Sergeant Ramon Erinda
• Staff Sergeant Domingo Guerrero Jr.
• Staff Sergeant Akas Latip
• Staff Sergeant Ladzak Mandaragon
• Staff Sergeant Nesser Nonao
• Staff Sergeant Kriziovie Yasser Odin
• Staff Sergeant Mary Grace Tagabe
• Staff Sergeant Datu Jhemin Untong
• Corporal Kadafy Abdullah
• Corporal Abraham Madayan
• Corporal Rahima Mantawil
• Corporal Hisham Marcaban
• Corporal Nasser Mariga
• Corporal Agapito Peria Jr.
• Corporal Annalyn Perocho
• Corporal Nul Pingulaman
• Corporal Ashraf Salik
• Corporal Awal Zacaria
• Patrolman Samri Asgali
• Patrolman Jacob Baraacal
• Patrolman Al Ditucalan
• Patrolman Lucman Shajid Mamalinta
• Patrolman Momar Midtimbang
• Patrolman Ameruddin Mustapha
• Patrolman Cheyenne Rivada

Lester earlier said he suspected that there was a “third party” who was out to destroy the relationship of their clan members, and discredit his administration.

The Maguindanao police said a gunman shot Jamael as he was coming out of a mosque after the Friday prayers at around noon on September 30. He died on the way to the hospital.

Jamael’s companion was wounded in the gun attack, and a still unidentified man – believed to be the gunman – was found killed near the crime scene.

Maguindanao police chief Colonel Roel Sermese said no one has claimed the remains of the suspected assassin. He had no ID with him, and his cadaver was brought to a mortuary in Cotabato City.

Sermese said they were also looking into the shooting of Darius Sinsuat – nephew of the slain Jamael and son of former board member Bimbo Sinsuat – by a group of armed men around 5 pm on the same day. Darius was in a sports utility vehicle when he was shot and wounded.

Bimbo said no member of the town police force responded right after Jamael was shot, adding that it was unusual given that the police station is very near the crime scene.  – Rappler.com