Vice Mayor Esmail “Toto” Mangudadatu of Buluan town, Maguindanao has clarified that an attempt by Lakas-Kampi-CMD standard bearer Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. to dissuade him to run against Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr. in the gubernatorial race in Maguindanao elections before the gruesome murder of 57 persons last November 23 was not aimed at dislodging him from the political scene but a “sincere advice from a friend” wanting to protect him from possible aggression from the Ampatuans.

In a press conference at the Linden Suites in Pasig City, Mangudadatu, whose wife Gennalyn was among those killed in the massacre in Ampatuan town, also reiterated his support to Teodoro’s candidacy.

“Alam n’yo, ‘party man ako,’ at ang aking support kay Secretary Gilbert Teodoro ay hindi nababahiran yan at hindi maaalis ang aking support sa kanya (You know, I am a ‘party man,’ and my support to Secretary Gilberto Teodoro will never change),” Mangudadatu said.

“At yung mga sinabi Secretary Gibo noon ay pagmamahal bilang isang kaibigan (The advice given to me by Secretary Gibo came from a ‘true friend’),” he said.

Mangudadatu issued the statement in view of negative reactions from various sectors when he revealed during a hearing of the Maguindanao massacre case a week ago that Teodoro asked him not to engage Andal Sr. in the gubernatorial race because he considered him “a violent person.”

Mangudadatu’s statement drew criticisms against the former defense chief for allegedly failing to provide protection to his family that led to the massacre incident.

Others interpreted the vice mayor’s claims as Teodoro favoring the Ampatuan over him in relation to the tense political intramurals in Maguindanao.

“They should not blame Secretary Gibo because he does not have operational control over the military forces in our area. The military commanders in the field are the ones in charge in the operations,” Mangudadatu emphasized.