Andal Ampatuan Sr., a former governor, his sons and supporters, are among 198 suspects in the Nov. 23 killings in southern Maguindanao province of their political rivals and at least 30 journalists with them in an election convoy— the Philippines' worst single incident political violence.
Following Monday's national elections, provincial election supervisor Renault Macarambon declared late Friday the Ampatuan clan's rival Esmael Mangudadatu winner of Maguindanao province's gubernatorial race— replacing a son of Ampatuan, Sajid Ampatuan. Supporters at the ceremony at the provincial assembly building erupted in cheers of "Allahu Akbar!" or "God is Great!" Mangudadatu beat Ampatuan's ally, Ombra Sinsuat. Ampatuan himself had run for vice-governor, a post won by Mangudadatu's running mate, Ismael Mastura.
"I'm happy. Evil has been defeated in Maguindanao and we have won our freedom," Mangudadatu said after being proclaimed winner.
He arrived at the provincial capitol, which lies near a mansion of the Ampatuans, in an armored vehicle as a private helicopter hovered overhead. Scores of soldiers lined the route and were posted inside and outside the building.
The November massacre had targeted a group that was traveling to register Mangudadatu's candidacy to challenge the Ampatuans' control of Maguindanao. Ampatuan and several of his sons are among those who allegedly planned the killings.
At a trial that began in January, witnesses alleged one of Ampatuan's sons, Andal Ampatuan Jr., a former town mayor, led dozens of gunmen in blocking a convoy of Mangudadatu's wife, sisters, followers and journalists. They were later shot and buried in mass graves on a nearby hilltop.
The Ampatuans have denied the charges against them.
While the patriarch lost his race, one of his detained sons, Anwar Ampatuan, won the position of vice mayor of Maguindanao's capital town Shariff Aguak, election officials said. Anwar's wife Zahara was elected mayor.
