THE UNUSUAL press conference held at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City, starring inmate Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., was clearly stage-managed by pro-administration individuals with the consent of top Palace officials.
Who else could instruct jail officials to make the necessary arrangements and host the event designed to erase the negative impression resulting from an earlier display of support for Nacionalista Party presidential bet Manny Villar and senatorial aspirant Gilbert Remulla by the massacre suspect as he was being moved out of his National Bureau of Investigation cell?
Instead, the dubious event succeeded only in reinforcing the suspicion that Villar is First Gentleman Mike Arroyo?s secret candidate.
It also looked like a cheap attempt to link Liberal Party standard bearers Noynoy Aquino and Mar Roxas to the notorious Ampatuan family.
Coincidentally, Justice Secretary Alberto Agra previously cleared Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan and Maguindanao Vice Gov. Akmad Ampatuan of murder charges.
It is therefore safe to assume that the Ampatuans will follow the wishes of powerful administration officials in exchange for some concessions that will make life easier for the suspected perpetrators of the infamous Maguindanao massacre.
?MELCHOR AMADO JR.,
equalizer.3333@yahoo.com
