Background
He is the son of patriarch Andal Ampatuan Senior, and his family continues to represent a powerful force in Mindanao politics.
He is the son of patriarch Andal Ampatuan Senior, and his family continues to represent a powerful force in Mindanao politics.
Ampatuan came to international attention in November 2009 as a result of the Maguindanao massacre. He was to run for governor of the province against Esmael Mangudadatu in the 2010 elections. However, Mangudadatu"s female relatives and a group of journalists were ambushed and killed in the massacre, and Ampatuan, Junior., quickly became the prime suspect.
He surrendered to Filipino authorities and was charged with murder.
He has denied any involvement, though several witnesses have gone on record stating that they saw him at the scene of the crime. In September 2010 he went on trial as the prime suspect in the massacre.
Andal Ampatuan, Junior., through his emissaries, was already under fire for bribing the relatives of the massacre.
