Maguindanao Rep. Zajid “Dong” Mangudadatu said his camp is studying the possibility of filing a motion to inhibit Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221 Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes from hearing the Maguindanao massacre case following a recent order allowing one of the principal accused, Zaldy Ampatuan, to attend the wedding of his daughter.
“Yes, ‘yun din ang isang recommendation natin. Mag-uusap muna kaming magkakapatid and also the relatives of the victims kung kailangan ba para ma-inhibit,” Mangudadatu of the second district of Maguindanao said during Friday’s Pandesal Forum in Quezon City.
(Yes, that’s one of our recommendations. My brothers and also the relatives of the victims will first talk if we need to file a motion to inhibit the judge.)
Zaldy Ampatuan. AFP FILE PHOTO
Solis-Reyes presides over the case of the 2009 massacre that killed 58 people, including 32 journalists. Ampatuan was detained after he was tagged as one of the masterminds of the gruesome murder.
READ: LOOK: Court order allowing Zaldy Ampatuan to attend daughter’s wedding
“Tulad nga nung sinabi natin, yung discretion ng judge, kasi dalawang beses nang nangyari ‘yan,” Mangudadatu said.
(Like what we said, the discretion of the judge [is important], because it happened twice already.)
According to Mangudadatu, Solis-Reyes was handling the case well, but he said they want to see whether a legal action must be taken after she signed the order.
He also opposed the “humanitarian” reasons for which it was based, as he also took a swipe at the Ampatuans if they are even human at all.
“The reason is humanitarian. Kaya sabi ko ang katanungan natin diyan [I said my question on this is], are they human?” he said.
“They slaughtered and killed the 58 innocent people of the Maguindanao massacre. Kami naman po bilang relatives ng mga biktima, tao rin po kami na matagal na naming inaasam na makamit namin ang katarungan,” Mangudadatu said.
(They slaughtered and killed the 58 innocent people in the Maguindanao massacre. We, as relatives, of the victims are also humans who have been longing to achieve justice.) /jpv
RELATED STORIES
Guevarra stands by prosecutors who let Zaldy Ampatuan attend wedding
Palace dismayed over Ampatuan’s wedding leave