MANILA: Philippine officials say several witnesses to a 2009 election-related massacre of 57 people have been placed under government protection following a spate of killings of other witnesses to the country’s worst political bloodletting in recent years.
State prosecutor Peter Medalle said Wednesday that six people have been added to the Department of Justice’s witness protection program to ensure their security. Protective measures for at least four others already in the program have been beefed up.
The governor of southern Maguindanao province, Esmael Mangudadatu, who is also the husband of one of the 57 victims, says at least six witnesses or their relatives have been gunned down since the massacre trial began in September 2010, sowing fear among other witnesses.
The Maguindanao massacre drew international condemnation.
Philippine massacre witnesses placed under guard
