Mangudadatu sees Gibo as the best hope for reform and progress in Mindanao

News ReleaseFebruary 5, 2010
Ref: Sarangani Gov. Miguel Rene “Migs” Dominguez
Lakas-Kampi-CMD national president

Buluan town vice-mayor Esmael "Toto" Mangudadatu said his support forLakas-Kampi CMD presidential candidate Gilberto "Gibo" Teodoro Jr. has not diminished, and hailed his program of reform and progress forMindanao as the best to turn the conflict-torn island into an economic powerhouse.

"I believe that Secretary Teodoro is the most effectiveand most competent candidate for president who will bring the best program of reform to Mindanao ," said Mangudadatu, the ruling party’scandidate for governor in Maguindanao in the Autonomous Region forMuslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Facing the media Tuesday, Mangudadatu said he had no ill-feelings towards Teodoro after the former defense chief had reminded the Maguindanao leader that the Ampatuans—the powerful clan that had an iron-grip control of the province for a decade—were particularly violent.

"Mahal na mahal kita, Toto. May pagkabayolente ang mga taong yan. (I care a lot about you, Toto. Those are violent people),"Mangudadatu quoted Teodoro as warning him.

Mangudadatu revealed this conversation in his testimony during the resumption of the hearing on Andal Ampatuan Jr.’s petition for bail before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court.

That remark, he said, was made when Teodoro sought out Mangudadatu sometime last year before the latter’s wife, relatives,political allies and journalists accompanying them were killed November 23 on their way to Shariff Aguak to register Mangudadatu’s candidacy for governor.

Ampatuan Jr. has been tagged by witnesses asthe mastermind of the politically-motivated killings and is nowdetained at the National Bureau of Investigation facility in Manila .

“I'm a party man and my support for Secretary Teodoro hasnot been tainted or diminished,” Mangudadatu said in Pilipino. “What he told me was a friendly remark. I do not see howhe should be blamed for that,” he said.

The Ampatuans were in fact helping Sen.. Manny Villar inhis quest of the presidency as the Nacionalista Party standard-bearer,he said, adding: “Villar even spent the night in the house of theAmpatuans” when he came to visit.

It is no secret in Maguindanao that Villar had received help from the Ampatuans in the past, although the Ampatuans were knownLakas-Kampi CMD stalwarts in the region, Mangudadatu said.

In his economic blueprint for Mindanao, Teodoro sees a sustainable peace in Mindanao as a key agenda in tapping its full potential in agriculture and food production that in turn could ensure the country's food security.

“We cannot have peace and progress with armed groups still holding out. The national government under Teodoro will not compromise its sovereignty and will work to secure a government monopoly of force in Mindanao ," the Lakas standard bearer stressed.