“Sec Leila de Lima refused Zaldy Ampatuan’s non-offer. Good for her”

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said it clearly. “No, certainly not,” when asked regarding possible deals with Zaldy Ampatuan, a suspended Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) governor, in exchange for his exposès.

“Sa mga nagsasabi na kami ay makikipag-coddle sa mga Ampatuan, hindi po totoo iyo.”

The issue is beginning to be very politicized. It is recalled that a total of 57 people, including 32 journalists, were killed in the massacre in Maguindanao, on Nov. 23, 2009.

Zaldy “implicated former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in the alleged poll fraud in the 2007 mid-term elections and graft involving three government projects in Mindanao.”

Image via www.newsofap.com

Harry Roque the lawyer for the families of the 15 journalists doubts Zaldy’s motive for making several revelations against former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Netizens are relieved when President Aquino gave assurance that Zaldy
Ampatuan won’t be taken as state witness for Maguindanao Massacre. @sara_beth01 adds “Leila de Lima refused Zaldy Ampatuan’s non-offer. good for her. ”

Eden Ridao, wife of Maguindanao massacre victim is happy with the President’s assurance ” Masaya kami sa pahayag ng pangulo, sa commitments niya sa amin.”

The Inquirer editorial prefers to keep things in perspective. ” Let’s keep an eye on the real objective, which is justice. We do not know whether Zaldy’s testimony is any good. But let’s find out exactly what that testimony is, before we reject it.”

A comment in the editorial points out the credibility of his testimony.

I don’t believe that Zaldy turns aways from his father. That is nowhere in the Muslim tradition. We muslims even do RIDO just to avenge a wrong done even to a distant relative. Betraying one’s own father is a misnomer. Ubusan ng lahi ika nga. May sinabi ba siya tungkol sa massacre? Wala. He has an ulterior motive that is to save their hides eventually.

Unfortunately, most of the reactions in social media is not favorable in exploring any possible offer from Zaldy Ampatuan.

Most of the discussion in Twitter questioned the motives of Zaldy.

@sylentdelusion explains that “Muslims have strong family ties by nature so it would be very impossible for zaldy ampatuan to be an honest state witness”. @dino_mars thinks it is ridiculous and adds that it ” is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for Zaldy Ampatuan to become a state witness.”

@theaseanwatch believes the ” Zaldy AMPATUAN’s allegation against ex-Prez ARROYO may just ‘politicize’ the case. Court should stick to its gun– world is watching.” @mau_abad implores the President “Zaldy ampatuan’s confession in exchange for gma’s possible indictment? Penoy! Mahiya ka naman, not at the expense of the victims, please!”

“Why should we, as a nation, trust a man who is willing to betray his own family? Common sense dictates that we must not.” asks Senior Lapulapu