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 quickly became the prime suspect . A member of the ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD party , he and his father and brother were expelled by party chairman Gilberto Teodoro due to the massacre . 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 . Ampatuan , through his emissaries , was already under fire for bribing the relatives of the massacre
Maguindanao massacre
Maguindanao massacre
Andal Ampatuan Jr.