Kin of Murdered Couple See Hope, Fear Reprisals

One of the relatives pointed to the abandoned residence of the Ligawan family where the couple's tomb was buried inside their residence compound in Sinakulay, President Quirino town in Sultan Kudarat. (Photo by Mark Navales)

Sultan Kudarat – After more than a decade of waiting in silence, the relatives of the victims are finally seeing a glimpse of justice and are relieved from pain but fears of possible retaliation remained after authorities arrested on September 14, 2022, in Davao City. One of the alleged suspects in a double murder case belonged to an influential clan in Maguindanao.

Last week, policemen detained Khadafe “Toy” Mangudadatu, the mayor of Pandag, Maguindanao, while inside a hotel in Davao City over his alleged involvement in the killing of couple Abdullah and Lala Ligawan on Oct. 17, 2010 in the village of Sinakulay here.

Judge Samina Sampaco Macabando Usman of the Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat Regional Trial Court Branch 20 issued the arrest warrant for two counts of murder against Khadafe, Police are also hunting three other suspects – Zajid Mangudadatu, Tunggal Usop and Mamayang Amino – in connection to the murder charges who signed the arrest warrant on September 9, recommended no bail for Mangudadatu and all the accused.

In an exclusive interview, one of the brothers of the victims expressed his gratitude and conveyed his reaction on Saturday, September 17, alias Redman, said they were thankful to Allah for hearing their prayers when the arrest of Toy Mangudadatu came out.

“I’ve waited for several years for this moment to happen. The karma hit them. I am very happy that someone will now pay for what happened,” he said.

“I am not afraid. I just wanted the truth to come out,” he added, citing possible incidents that may happen in connection with the case.

Accordingly, after the killing happened, Ligawan said his brother’s five children have been separated from each other and abandoned their house in the village of Sinakulay.

 “The case dragged on for 12 years. We were not noticed before because we just came from an ordinary family. Now, Masayang masaya na kami, nahuli na ang may kasalanan, managot ang dapat managot.” he said.

In a separate interview, another relative named Bai of late Lala, said while they welcomed the development she worried for their safety.

“I am happy that justice was served. I am giving everything to Allah,” she said.   

We tried to get the side of the Mangudadatu’s over the issue but there was no response. Earlier, the family had claimed that the murder was politically motivated and instigated by the camp of former Sultan Kudarat Gov. Teng Mangudadatu whose wife Bai Mariam is the incumbent governor of Maguindanao.

Police Lt.Col. Bernard Lao, regional director of Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, told reporters the mayor of Pandag have long been under surveillance before he was cornered at the Mandaya Hotel in Davao City on September 10.

Lao assured the public there will be no special treatment for the mayor who is facing

non-bailable charges.

“The pronouncement earlier that he surrendered, well that’s their claim. But he should have turned himself into authorities at the police station,” he said.

Mangudadatu was rushed to hospital following his arrest, complaining of chest pains and difficulty in breathing. But the results of the series of medical tests were all normal, according to Capt. Richard Ebero, medical officer of the Medical officer ng Regional Medical and Dental Unit Region 11.

The Mangudadatu family was known globally following an incident year’s back the Maguindanao massacre, which was considered the worst political violence in the country.