Philippine clan planned massacre over dinner, court hears
September 8, 2010
Ampatuan clan members accused of killing 57 people including 30 journalists in convoy of election rival Esmael Mangudadatu Andal Ampatuan Jr, the main suspect in the massacre of 57 people in southern Philippines, at his trial. Photograph: Cheryl Ravelo/Reuters A servant of the politically powerful clan accused of last year’s massacre of 57 people has told a Philippine court the family plotted the killings of rivals and journalists over dinner six days before the ambush. The witness, Lakmudin Saliao, took the stand on the first day of the trial nearly 10 months after the 23 November massacre in southern Maguindanao province. Among the 57 dead…
