SC ready to provide security for Maguindanao massacre judge

MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court is ready to provide security for Quezon City Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes, who is expected to hand down her decision on the decade-long Maguindanao massacre case in 10 days.

“We are always after the security of the judge. If they need security then we will provide them,” Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta told reporters at the sidelines of the launching of the Judiciary Help Desk.

The chief magistrate said Solis-Reyes “has nothing to fear” as she has given all the accused the “required due process under the Constitution” and allowed them to defend themselves during the lengthy trial.

As of now, Peralta said Solis-Reyes has yet to report any threats to her safety.

Solis-Reyes has set the promulgation of the high profile case on Dec. 19 at 9 a.m. at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.

The court was supposed to rule on the case before the 10th year anniversary of the massacre on Nov. 23 but it asked the high court to give it more time due to “voluminous records.”

Members of the influential Ampatuan clan are among those tried for multiple murder for the massacre on Nov. 23, 2009, which is considered to be one of the deadliest attacks on members of the media anywhere in the world.

Out of the 58 victims who were mostly beheaded and mutilated in Ampatuan town, Maguindanao, 32 were journalists who were covering the filing of the certificate of candidacy of the Ampatuan clan’s fierce rival, Toto Mangudadatu.