SHARIFF AGUAK, Maguindanao (MindaNews/09 December) – Aside from guns and ammunition, a pink luxury bus with Datu Unsay mayor Datu Andal Ampatuan Jr’s 2007 campaign poster as well as his father’s,  was among those found in the Ampatuan warehouse near the provincial jail.

MindaNews photo courtesy of Jes Aznar

The luxury bus has a room encased in glass and wood behind the driver’s area, with a matrimonial bed and  two pink pillows, accessible through a door to the left upon entering the main door.  It is not clear if the room can be accessed also through the driver’s area.

Room with bed behind the sofa. MindaNews photos courtesy of Jes Aznar

But the bus has other amenities as well: lounge chairs, sofa beds, a bar, a small kitchen and small dining room, a refrigerator, a pantry, a stove and a stand for a sound system and television.

It is not clear who owns the bus among the Ampatuans but there are two posters in the kitchen – the Senior’s 2007 campaign poster and the Junior’s poster taped higher than the father’s, on the right.

It cannot be ascertained as yet if the bus is a government property intended for a mobile library and refashioned into what appears now to be a motor home. 

The vehicle has a private plate, WMZ 933.

In the Philippines, only movie actresses Gretchen Barretto and very recently, Kris Aquino, own luxury buses but neither of them has a bed.

MindaNews photo courtesy of Jes Aznar

In another part  of the warehouse where additional ammunition were found behind a concrete wall Tuesday night,  wooden furniture with ornate carvings are lined up, each individually wrapped in thick transparent plastic sheet MindaNews counted at least eight king-size bed frames which need only the cushion, dining tables and chairs, armchairs, sofa.

One soldier commented how huge the bed was in comparison to his low-cost house.

A reporter asked, “are these for their mansions or for gifts?”

No one could answer.

Are these imported or done here? But there was  a pile of hardwood lumber nearby, prompting many to conclude the furniture was done inside the warehouse. 

Note Team Unity poster covering upholstery. MindaNews photo courtesy of Jes Aznar

Some dining chairs have been upholstered – the seat and  the backrest. Curiously, the backrest’s cushion is covered with strips from the posters of Team Unity’s 12 candidates with President Arroyo in 2007. 

Andal Ampatuan, Sr's campaign poster, 2007. MindaNews photo courtesy of Jes Aznar

Andal Ampatuan, Jr's campaign poster, 2007. MindaNews photo by Carolyn O. Arguillas

Arroyo’s candidates made a 12-0 sweep here, the only country in the province to have delivered victory for the President’s candidates. (Carolyn O. Arguillas/MindaNews)

---

Share this story through the following Social Media sites: