Dureza got P10M, many others bribed by Ampatuans — witness 09/16/2010

Dureza got P10M, many others bribed by Ampatuans — witness
09/16/2010
The powerful Ampatuans who were known allies of former President Arroyo and suspected behind the grissly massacre in November last year of journalists and supporters of a political rival prepared huge bribes to try to cover up the killings of 57 people, a witness told the murder trial yesterday.

Andal Ampatuan Jr, the main defendant, and more than 100 armed followers allegedly shot dead the victims in November last year to stop a rival from running against him for the post of provincial governor.

The Ampatuan clan earmarked P50 million, a fifth for a member of then President Arroyo’s Cabinet, to get charges against them dismissed, Lakmudin Saliao, a former Ampatuan servant, told the court.

“Andal Ampatuan Sr. said to give money... to Dureza. Ten million to Dureza,” said Saliao, 33.

He told the court he was referring to Jesus Dureza, a senior adviser sent by Arroyo to the clan compound after the massacre to convince the family to surrender a key suspect, the patriarch’s son and namesake Andal Ampatuan Jr.

Saliao, in the continuation of his testimony at the sala of Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) branch 221 Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes at Metro Manila District Jail in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City, said the order to pay off Dureza was meant to ensure that the separate rebellion charges against the powerful family patriarch will be dropped..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100916hed2.html