Esmael "Toto" Gaguil Mangudadatu[3] (Tagalog pronunciation: [mɐŋʊdɐˈdatʊʔ]; born August 15, 1968) is a Filipino politician who previously served as the representative of Maguindanao's 2nd district from 2019 to 2022.[4] He also served as the governor of Maguindanao from 2010 to 2019. In Buluan town, he served as the mayor from 1998 to 2007, and vice mayor from 2007 to 2010.
Esmael Mangudadatu | |
|---|---|
 Portrait during the 18th Congress | |
| Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Maguindanao's 2nd congressional district | |
| In office June 30, 2019 – June 30, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Datu Zajid G. Mangudadatu |
| Succeeded by | Mohamad Paglas |
| Governor of Maguindanao | |
| In office June 30, 2010 – June 30, 2019 | |
| Vice Governor | Datu Ismael "Dustin" Mastura (2010–2013) Lester Sinsuat (2013–2019) |
| Preceded by | Nariman Ambolodto (acting governor) Andal Ampatuan Sr. |
| Succeeded by | Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu |
| Vice Mayor of Buluan, Maguindanao | |
| In office June 30, 2007 – June 30, 2010 | |
| Mayor | Ibrahim Mangudadatu |
| Succeeded by | King Jhazzer Mangudadatu |
| Mayor of Buluan, Maguindanao | |
| In office June 30, 1998 – June 30, 2007 | |
| Succeeded by | Ibrahim Mangudadatu |
| Member of the Maguindanao Provincial Board | |
| In office June 30, 1995 – June 30, 1998 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 15, 1968 Maguindanao, Philippines |
| Political party | PDP–Laban (2016–present) |
| Other political affiliations | Liberal (2010–2016) Lakas-CMD (before 2010) |
| Spouse | [1] [2] |
| Relations | Pua Mangudadatu (father) Pax Mangudadatu (uncle) Sajid Mangudadatu (brother) |
| Children | King Jhazzer, Princess Grace, Michellen, Tisoy Mangudadatu |
| Residence(s) | Buluan, Maguindanao, Philippines |
| Alma mater | University of Mindanao (BA) |
In the 2009 Maguindanao massacre, Mangudadatu's family members, aides, lawyers, and supporters, plus several journalists, were kidnapped and murdered while on their way to file Mangudadatu's candidacy for the gubernatorial elections. Andal Ampatuan Jr., Mangudadatu's scheduled opponent for the 2010 elections, was charged with the murders.[5] In 2019, Andal Jr. and his brother Zaldy, as well as their associates, were convicted of the murders.[6]
Early life
editMangudadatu was born on August 15, 1968, to Pua Mangudadatu, a politician who was president of the "Magnificent 7", a group of influential politicians in the province at the time. His uncle is Pax Mangudadatu, incumbent representative of the 1st district of Sultan Kudarat in Tacurong City.[7]
Seeking to escape political dynasty, Mangudadatu went to University in order to become a doctor. It was there that Mangudadatu met his wife Genalyn, a Hiligaynon Visayan, while they were both students in Davao City, Mindanao. They married on November 11, 1991, and had multiple children.[7] Starting a family after getting married cut his medical studies short but he later earned his political science degree from the University of Mindanao in Davao City.[7]
Political career
editMangudadatu visited the then governor of Maguindanao province, Zacaria Candao, to obtain approval for a new business venture. Instead, Candao, who was also Mangudadatu's godfather, talked him into running for office.[7] He was a member of Maguindanao's Sangguniang Panlalawigan (provincial board) from 1995 to 1998. He then became mayor of Buluan from 1998 to 2007. In the 2007 elections, he became vice mayor of Buluan.[8] In 2009 he decided to challenge the Ampatuan clan's heir apparent in the election for governor of Maguindanao province.[7]
He was instrumental for the proposed creation of a new province to be called as Maguindanao North, which will be composed of the First Legislative District of Maguindanao.[9][10][11]
Maguindanao massacre
editThe Maguindanao massacre occurred on the morning of November 23, 2009, in the town of Ampatuan in Maguindanao province, on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines. The victims were about to file a certificate of candidacy for Esmael Mangudadatu. Mangudadatu was challenging Datu Unsay mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., son of the incumbent Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan Sr., in the forthcoming Maguindanao gubernatorial election,[12] part of the national elections in 2010. The 57 people killed included Mangudadatu's wife, two of his sisters, and a cousin, in addition to numerous journalists, lawyers, aides, and motorists who were witnesses or were mistakenly identified as part of the convoy.[13][14] Mangudadatu told reporters that his wife was able to call her husband just before she was killed, "She said... they had been stopped by 100 uniformed armed men... then her line got cut off,"[1]
The man thought responsible, Andal Ampatuan Jr. denied that he was responsible and instead blamed the MILF, an armed Islamic group that operates in the Southern Philippines. MILF released a statement denying that it was responsible.[15]
2010 elections
editFour days after the massacre, Mangudadatu traveled along the same road where the attack had occurred to successfully file his candidacy in the election.[16] He ran under the banner of the Lakas Kampi CMD party. In the party, Mangudadatu replaced his rivals from the Ampatuan clan who perpetrated the massacre.[16] He won the election and served 9 years as governor.
Gaisano Mall shootings
editOn February 11, 2010, Tamano Kamendan approached Mangudadatu and his entourage at the Gaisano South Citimall in Davao City. An altercation took place and Kamendan was killed by Esmael Mangudadatu's bodyguard. Mangudadatu released a statement that Kamendan was an associate of the Ampatuan clan and that he was trying to kidnap his children. Kamendan's wife denied the Ampatuan connection and has stated in an affidavit that her husband was just shopping when Mangudadatu ordered his men to shoot him.[17] On February 14, 2010, Mangudadatu and his bodyguard were charged with murder.[18]
Tacurong city car bombing
editOn August 15, 2011, Mangudadatu's convoy was involved in a car bombing incident along a highway in Tacurong city, Sultan Kudarat.[19] Two people were killed, including a Maguindanao board member, while six others were wounded. The bomb exploded while Mangudadatu's convoy was cruising along the highway in Tacurong. The governor and his followers were heading to a restaurant to celebrate his birthday.
The bomb, placed inside an old, white Kia vehicle parked at the side of the road fronting the Cherubim Methodist Learning Center in Alunan Highway, exploded when a Toyota Fortuner, where the provincial board member was on board, passed near it. Mangudadatu was unhurt because his vehicle was bullet-proof.
References
edit- ^ a b "Philippines political violence leaves 21 dead". BBC News. November 23, 2009. Retrieved March 1, 2010.
- ^ "Lawmaker's wife accuses him of concubinage, gets threats from his son". Philippine Daily Inquirer. August 7, 2020. Archived from the original on August 9, 2020. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
- ^ Arguillas, Carolyn (February 8, 2010). "Detained but still running big-time". MindaNews. Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism. Archived from the original on December 17, 2019. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
- ^ Macabalang, A. (May 21, 2019). "Toto Mangudadatu eyes post-election reconciliation". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved July 25, 2019.
- ^ Tran, Mark (November 26, 2009). "Philippines massacre: police charge local politician with murder". The Guardian. London. Retrieved November 26, 2009.
- ^ "Maguindanao massacre verdict: Zaldy Ampatuan, Andal Jr. found guilty of murder". The Philippine Star. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
- ^ a b c d e Jannaral, Julmunir I. (January 1, 2010). "Profile: Vice Mayor Esmael 'Toto' Mangudadatu". Manila Times. Archived from the original on January 4, 2010. Retrieved March 1, 2010.
- ^ Ilagan, Karol (April 12, 2013). "The wealth of Gov. Toto". Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism. Archived from the original on August 17, 2020. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
- ^ SAADUDDIN, MOH (July 13, 2017). "Maguindanao clans end 'rido'". The Manila Times. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
- ^ SAADUDDIN, MOH (June 8, 2017). "Suspected IS terrorist arrested in Maguindanao". The Manila Times. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
- ^ SAADUDDIN, MOH (August 25, 2016). "Maguindanao acquires new heavy equipment". The Manila Times. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
- ^ Jimenez-David, Rina (November 24, 2009). "Understanding the unbelievable". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on November 28, 2009. Retrieved November 24, 2009.
- ^ "Philippines charges 196 over Maguindanao massacre". BBC News. February 9, 2010. Retrieved March 1, 2010.
- ^ "Trial in Philippines massacre suspended". United Press International. February 24, 2010. Retrieved March 1, 2010.
- ^ KBK, JV, GMANews.TV (November 26, 2009). "Ampatuan detained at NBI, blames MILF for massacre". GMA News and Public Affairs. Retrieved March 1, 2010.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ a b "Mangudadatu files candidacy for Maguindanao governor". GMA News and Public Affairs. November 27, 2009. Retrieved November 27, 2009.
- ^ RMH (February 24, 2010). "Mangudadatu, kids, guards face probe panel". Sun.Star Cebu. Retrieved March 1, 2010.
- ^ Andong, Lore Mae (February 14, 2010). "Mangudadatu says he is surprised by murder charge". ABS-CBN Corporation. Retrieved March 1, 2010.
- ^ "Bomb hits Maguindanao guv's convoy; 1 dead, 7 hurt". Sun.Star Publishing Inc. Archived from the original on September 7, 2013. Retrieved August 19, 2011.