Mangudadatu 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 See more

Mangudadatu visited the then governor of Maguindanao province, Zacaria Candao, to obtain approval for a new business venture. Instead, Candao, who was also … See more

The 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 … See more

Four days after the massacre, Mangudadatu traveled along the same road where the attack had occurred to successfully file his candidacy in the election. He ran under the banner of the Lakas Kampi CMD party. In the party, Mangudadatu … See more

On 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 … See more

On August 15, 2011, Mangudadatu's convoy was involved in a car bombing incident along a highway in Tacurong city, Sultan Kudarat. Two people were killed, including a Maguindanao board member, while six others were wounded. The bomb exploded while … See more