Maguindanao leaders hold protest rally vs. Gov. Mangudadatu

COTABATO CITY -- A former town mayor in Maguindanao today vehemently denied involvement in the 2009 Maguindanao massacre and lashed at Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Toto Mangudadatu for linking him to the carnage.Former Mayor Ali Midtimbang of Talayan, Maguindanao said his inclusion in the new batch of suspects charged in connection with the Nov. 29, 2009 Maguindanao massacre was a clear political harassment insinuated by Mangudadatu.Midtimbang is the father in law of former Regional Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) who along with his father Andal Sr, brother Andal Jr and several other siblings were tagged as the masterminds of the deadly carnage of 58 people in Ampatuan town. Just because I am the father in law of Zaldy Ampatuan I was involved in the massacre? he told the crowd of supporters who joined a rally at Cotabato City plaza Thursday. I am innocent, I am a victim of political harassment because we did not support Mangudadatu in the last elections, he said. To the victims's relatives, I can see straight in your eyes and can say to you that I have nothing to do with the crime, Midtimbang said.Earlier, Cotabato City administrator Cynthia Guiani Sayadi also denied involvement after she was linked to the massacre. Political harassment, she cried and challenged Mangudadatu into a swearing before the Koran to determine who was telling the truth.Guiani-Sayadi stressed she was included in the new batch of suspects because she expressed desire to seek an elective post in Maguindanao in next year's elections.Political rivals of Mangudadatu also joined the rally to include former Maguindanao gubernatorial candidate Tocao Mastura, and Rajah Muda town mayor Zamsamin Ampatuan.The Midtimbang, Guiani Sayadi and Mastura and Mayor Ampatuan attended theto denounce what they believed was the unjust use of the massacre for political gain.Mayor Nathaniel Midtimbang, son of ex-Mayor Ali Midtimbang, also lambasted Mangudadatu for his act saying it was clearly politically motivated because the Midtimbang clan did not back Mangudadatu in last election. Along a highway in Maguindanao, from Talayan to Guindulungan where the Midtimbangs dominate, streamers and posters condemning Mangudadatu were visible.Some streamers say Huwag gamitin ang Maguindanao massacre sa pamumulitika, Toto Mangudadatu tama na ang pamumulitika, bistado ka na, and No to political harassment.The same streamers were carried by rally participants at the city plaza. The elder Midtimbang said he is prepared to face the charges in proper court but in Islamic laws he challenged Mangudadatu to perform the swearing in before the holy Koran to determine who is guilty and who is not. Our name has been tainted with false allegations, the young Midtimbang said.Mangudadatu earlier denied he orchestrated the filing of charges against 50 individuals. He told reporters it was the witnesses who named them and it was backed by evidences.Speaking over TV-Patrol Central Mindanao Thursday afternoon, Mangudadatu denied all the allegations.He also rejected Guiani-Sayadi's challenge for them to swear before the holy Quran, saying it is best if the swearing who is telling the truth be done in Meccah Saudi Arabia.