Philippine Daily Inquirer

First Posted 09:48:00 11/05/2010

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20101105-301579/Graft-money-laundering-raps-filed-vs-Ampatuans-Dureza

MANILA, Philippines—Relatives of journalists who were killed in the Maguindanao massacre of November 2009 filed Thursday complaints of graft and corruption and money laundering against the Ampatuans—the key suspects in the bloodbath of 57 persons—and former presidential adviser Jesus Dureza, among other individuals.

The complaints were filed before the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) and were built around the statements of key witness Lakmudin Saliao, who used to be a personal assistant of Andal Ampatuan Sr.

In his testimony, Saliao said the Ampatuans conspired to cover up their liabilities which involved payment of bribes to some government officials, including Dureza.

Saliao claimed during one of the recent hearings on the massacre case that Ampatuan Sr., through his supporters, distributed P386 million in bribe money to some government officials who were expected to tamper with pieces of evidence in the massacre and commit perjury.

Saliao also said Ampatuan Sr., through an aid, gave P10 million to Dureza in exchange for the help of the latter in facilitating dismissal of another case against the Ampatuans, where they were charged with rebellion.

Dureza had denied the accusation, saying that Saliao fabricated the allegation as he noted that the outcome of the cases against the Ampatuans were not in his hands.