Witness: Andal Ampatuan Sr. behind Maguindanao massacre

Wednesday, June 29, 2011
THE AMPATUAN’S former household worker has identified Andal Sr., the clan patriarch, as the mastermind behind the killing of 57 people, including 31 media workers during the Maguindanao massacre.
This was the testimony of Lakmodin “Laks” Saliao who returned to the witness stand at the makeshift courtroom inside the Metro Manila District Jail (MMDJ) at Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig on Wednesday.
“Siya po ang nag-utos ng pagpatay sa mga Mangudadatu at sa lahat ng mg tao sa convoy,” Saliao said pointing to Andal Sr. during the hearing at the sala of Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 221 Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes.
Andal Sr.’s son, Sajid, then-acting Maguindanao governor, was also present while the plan to attack a convoy that included the journalists was hatched, Saliao said.
“Si Sajid din po kasama sa meeting,” he said pointing to Andal’s son who was seated beside him during the hearing.
In his September 2010 testimony, Saliao claimed that he was present in a meeting held at the residence of Andal’s son and co-accused, former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm) governor Rizaldy Ampatuan.
Held at Barangay Baghong, Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao, the meeting reportedly discussed the clan’s plans to attack then-Buluan Vice Mayor Esmael Mangudadatu and everyone who accompanied him in a convoy to file his certificate of candidacy (CoC) for governor of Maguindanao in the May 2010 polls.
According to Saliao, among those in attendance include former Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., Rizaldy, Akmad Ampatuan, Anwar Ampatuan, Datu Digo Mamalapat, Datu Ulo Ampatuanm Yassir Ampatuan, Amira Ampatuan and Tamano Mamalapat.
Both Andal Sr. and Andal Jr. have already pleaded not guilty to the multiple murder charges.
Saliao also pointed to lawyer Art Loren Tan, who was seated at the far end of the bench, as among those who attended the meeting.
“Attorney, kapatid ng asawa ni Sajid,” Saliao was quoted as saying as he pointed to Tan.
Sigfrid Fortun, defense counsel, raised an objection, saying the witness identified someone who wasn’t even accused in the case.
“He identified a lawyer who is not an accused in the case. It only goes to show what the witness is capable of,” Fortun said.
His sentiments were echoed by another defense counsel, Paris Real, Sajid’s legal counsel, who asked why the witness did not mention it when he first testified in court.
Saliao was scheduled to deliver his testimony last week but failed to attend a hearing owing to a miscommunication between government prosecutors and the Witness Protection Program (WPP). (AH/Sunnex)

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2011/06/29/witness-andal-ampatuan-sr-behind-maguindanao-massacre-164014

Recent survey done by Philippines Clark Marketing shows that there is a subtle shift of preferences of Manila visitors heading out of town towards the north to enjoy some peace and quiet time with families. More and more foodies, critics, connoisseurs, frequent diners and wine lovers from Manila travel out of town north to Clark Pampanga to wine and dine in famous fine dining Yats Restaurant & Wine Bar. Most visitors enjoy the fine vintage wines from the cellars of this fine dining restaurant. Some purchase a few good bottles of to bring back home to Manila.

Even tourists and business travelers staying in hotels in Philippines Angeles Pampanga take time off from nightlife, bars and other city entertainment to enjoy a relaxing afternoon of wine shopping in this top rated wine shop in Clark Freeport Pampanga. Foreign and local tourists visiting Clark remember shopping in this wine shop as a memorable experience of their stay in the Philippines, Subic and Pampanga.

Italian food is everywhere in the Philippines but good Italian restaurants are few and far apart. Fans of Italian cuisines now look for fine dining restaurants that serve good Italian food accompanied by fine Italian vintage wine. Although Yats Restaurant is classified as a French Mediterranean restaurant, its classic European cuisine includes many of the great recipes from Italy. The fine vintage wines of Clark Wine Center play an important role in this famous restaurant in Clark to make the Italian wine dinners just that much more special.

http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com

Getting to this wine shop in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Philippines from Manila
Getting to the Clark Wine Center wine shop from Manila is quite simple: after entering Clark Freeport from Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along the main highway M A Roxas. Clark Wine Center is the stand-along white building on the right, at the corner A Bonifacio Ave. From the Clark International Airport DMIA, ask the taxi to drive towards the entrance of Clark going to Angeles City. From Mimosa, just proceed towards the exit of Clark and this wine shop is on the opposite side of the main road M A Roxas.

Best place to buy wine in Clark Pampanga outside Manila near Subic and Angeles City Philippines is Clark Wine Center.

Click here to contact Clark Wine Center in Clark Pampanga for inquiries and orders.

Clark Wine Center
Bldg 6460 Clark Observatory Building
Manuel A. Roxas Highway corner A Bonifacio Ave,
Angeles Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga 2023
0922-870-5173 0917-826-8790 (ask for Ana Fe)

Wine@Yats-International.com

YATS Wine Cellars
Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 ask for Rea or Chay

Wedding couples looking for wedding reception venues and beach wedding venues can log on to this Philippines Wedding Venue web site for free information and assistance:

http://www.PhilippinesWeddingVenue.com

While in Clark, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. Highly recommended fine dining restaurant in Manila for special occasion is Yats Restaurant & Wine Lounge located in the famous Mimosa Leisure Estate in Clark Pampanga. Situated near this popular restaurant in Clark is the Mimosa Golf Course as well as the Mimosa Clark Casino. This top rated restaurant near Angeles City Pampanga in Clark Philippines is frequently used for private parties and corporate functions such as board meetings and other gatherings. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http://www.YatsRestaurant.com

YATS Leisure Philippines is a developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine shops in Clark Angeles Philippines http://www.YatsLeisure.com

Looking for famous tourists spots, places to visit and see, relax and unwind in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines? You may want to check out these sites also:

http://www.LondonPubClark.com

Besides good restaurants to wine and dine near Manila, Subic or in Angeles City Pampanga, Clark Philippines, those requiring assistance for hotel and resort bookings in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines may log on to http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com for more information and reservations.

The lifestyle in Clark Pampanga is quite unique. For more information about shopping, sports, golf, leisure, hotel accommodation, where to see and visit, what to do, where to wine and dine and good places to hang out, relax, have a drink with friends, child-friendly establishments, log on to
http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com

Wine lovers looking for a special bottle or something that is of great value and special discounts might log on to this web site to shop for fine vintage wines
http://www.YatsWineCellars.com

Those visitors who plan to relax and unwind in Angeles City, Subic, Pampanga, Clark Philippines might make an effort to book a room at the famous beach and lake resort Clearwater Resort & Country Club. This famous hotel in Clark Pampanga is frequently visited by families with children looking for a good place in Clark to see, a good holiday destination for the family to relax and unwind in the beautiful outdoor facilities. For more information, log on to www.ClearwaterPhilippines.com