GENERAL SANTOS CITY , Philippines  – Datu Unsay town Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., accused of masterminding an election-related massacre that left more than 50 people dead, was formally charged with multiple murder here by the Department of Justice (DOJ) yesterday.

Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera said the charges against Ampatuan stemmed from the formal complaint filed by Buluan town Vice Mayor Esmael Mangudadatu whose wife, Genalyn, was among the 57 victims in last Monday’s carnage in Maguindanao.

Devanadera said they took the opportunity to conduct the inquest since the accused and the complainant, along with other witnesses, were present.

Mangudadatu appeared emotional during the inquest proceedings held at the Awang airport in General Santos City and almost came to blows with Ampatuan.

After signing the complaint, Mangudadatu left the room where the inquest proceedings began with the reading of charges against Ampatuan, who denied the accusations.

The inquest was witnessed by Devanadera and Presidential Assistant for Mindanao Jesus Dureza, who fetched Ampatuan from the provincial capital at Shariff Aguak in Maguindanao a few hours earlier.

Ampatuan, who earned the moniker “Butcher of Maguindanao,” appeared before Dureza before lunchtime and denied involvement in the killings.

Full Story: PhilStar/Yahoo PH