By Nikko Dizon ( Philippine Daily Inquirer)
Link: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100427-266668/NP-bet-admits-meeting-with-Ampatuan-Sr
MANILA, Philippines—Tensions rose in a press conference of Nacionalista Party senatorial candidates after one of them admitted having met with former Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr.
Gilbert Remulla, who is also the NP spokesperson, said he visited Ampatuan in April when the latter was confined in a military hospital in Davao City.
“Yes, I did it, I don’t deny it,” Remulla said when asked by the Inquirer to confirm a report that came out last week.
“But I don’t want to elaborate on it for personal and security reasons. Every parent will understand. But my stand against the Maguindanao massacre is even stronger than before. The victims of the massacre must be given justice and the prime suspects should be tried,” he said.
On April 15, Ampatuan’s son Andal Ampatuan Jr., mayor of Datu Unsay, Maguindanao, who stands accused of carrying out the country’s worst election-related killings, was seen on national television wearing two NP baller IDs at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City where he was transferred from the National Bureau of Investigation in Manila.
On his wrist was an orange bracelet with the name Manny Villar in white letters on it and a purple band with the name of NP senatorial candidate Gilbert Remulla in orange letters.
That image of Andal Jr. coupled with reports that Remulla had visited the elder Ampatuan, the clan patriarch, in his hospital room in Camp Panacan in Davao City last month fueled speculation that the Ampatuans were supporting Villar, who is running for president.
On April 20, Andal Jr. called a press conference at the Metro Manila District Jail in Camp Bagong Diwa where he announced that the Ampatuans were supporting presidential candidate Benigno Aquino III. Wearing a yellow baller ID, he smiled and even flashed an “L” hand signal associated with Aquino.
The Ampatuans are accused of orchestrating the grisly killing of 57 people to stop a rival politician, Esmael Mangudadatu, from running against Andal Jr. for the post of Maguindanao governor in the May 10 elections.
Fellow candidates react
NP senatorial candidate Adel Tamano said “Gilbert did the right thing by admitting [he had met with the elder Ampatuan] but I am unhappy with the fact that he went there.”
Tamano then urged Remulla to say categorically that the “NP did not, in any way, empower you to go there.”
“We will never seek any endorsement from the Ampatuans,” Tamano said.
Remulla replied: “I think it should be overly stated that my visit had nothing to do with politics. It was for safety and security reasons. As a parent, you’d understand.”
Martin Loon, the 23-year-old stepson of detained NP senatorial candidate Col. Ariel Querubin said his father would not hesitate to bolt the party if it were proved that there was a secret alliance between the NP and the Ampatuans.
“I am glad it was clarified that it was a personal and exclusive visit. My father, when he was a Marine brigade commander, intercepted firearms belonging supposedly to the Ampatuans. We will never ever be party to any secret alliance with them,” Loon said.
“And I will be the second to leave,” Tamano added.
NP senatorial candidates Gwen Pimentel, Toots Ople and Mon Mitra who were at the press conference did not comment.
Remulla was vehement in saying that he did not seek the support of the Ampatuans in the elections.
Remulla is a brother-in-law of Sigfried Fortun, the lead lawyer of the Ampatuans.
Link: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100427-266668/NP-bet-admits-meeting-with-Ampatuan-Sr
MANILA, Philippines—Tensions rose in a press conference of Nacionalista Party senatorial candidates after one of them admitted having met with former Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr.
Gilbert Remulla, who is also the NP spokesperson, said he visited Ampatuan in April when the latter was confined in a military hospital in Davao City.
“Yes, I did it, I don’t deny it,” Remulla said when asked by the Inquirer to confirm a report that came out last week.
“But I don’t want to elaborate on it for personal and security reasons. Every parent will understand. But my stand against the Maguindanao massacre is even stronger than before. The victims of the massacre must be given justice and the prime suspects should be tried,” he said.
On April 15, Ampatuan’s son Andal Ampatuan Jr., mayor of Datu Unsay, Maguindanao, who stands accused of carrying out the country’s worst election-related killings, was seen on national television wearing two NP baller IDs at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City where he was transferred from the National Bureau of Investigation in Manila.
On his wrist was an orange bracelet with the name Manny Villar in white letters on it and a purple band with the name of NP senatorial candidate Gilbert Remulla in orange letters.
That image of Andal Jr. coupled with reports that Remulla had visited the elder Ampatuan, the clan patriarch, in his hospital room in Camp Panacan in Davao City last month fueled speculation that the Ampatuans were supporting Villar, who is running for president.
On April 20, Andal Jr. called a press conference at the Metro Manila District Jail in Camp Bagong Diwa where he announced that the Ampatuans were supporting presidential candidate Benigno Aquino III. Wearing a yellow baller ID, he smiled and even flashed an “L” hand signal associated with Aquino.
The Ampatuans are accused of orchestrating the grisly killing of 57 people to stop a rival politician, Esmael Mangudadatu, from running against Andal Jr. for the post of Maguindanao governor in the May 10 elections.
Fellow candidates react
NP senatorial candidate Adel Tamano said “Gilbert did the right thing by admitting [he had met with the elder Ampatuan] but I am unhappy with the fact that he went there.”
Tamano then urged Remulla to say categorically that the “NP did not, in any way, empower you to go there.”
“We will never seek any endorsement from the Ampatuans,” Tamano said.
Remulla replied: “I think it should be overly stated that my visit had nothing to do with politics. It was for safety and security reasons. As a parent, you’d understand.”
Martin Loon, the 23-year-old stepson of detained NP senatorial candidate Col. Ariel Querubin said his father would not hesitate to bolt the party if it were proved that there was a secret alliance between the NP and the Ampatuans.
“I am glad it was clarified that it was a personal and exclusive visit. My father, when he was a Marine brigade commander, intercepted firearms belonging supposedly to the Ampatuans. We will never ever be party to any secret alliance with them,” Loon said.
“And I will be the second to leave,” Tamano added.
NP senatorial candidates Gwen Pimentel, Toots Ople and Mon Mitra who were at the press conference did not comment.
Remulla was vehement in saying that he did not seek the support of the Ampatuans in the elections.
Remulla is a brother-in-law of Sigfried Fortun, the lead lawyer of the Ampatuans.
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