PNP hunting down 80 suspects in Maguindanao massacre still at large

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) vowed on Monday that efforts to hunt down the remaining at-large suspects in  the grisly Maguindanao massacre in November 2009 are ongoing.

“PNP officer-in-charge Lt. Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa assures the bereaved families and relatives of victims of the infamous Ampatuan massacre of 2009 that efforts are ongoing and being intensified for the arrest of suspects who are still at-large,” PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac said in a press briefing.

Some 80 suspects in the massacre of 58 people, including 32 media practitioners, reportedly remain scot-free.

The promulgation of judgment on the case was scheduled for December 19 at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City, after a ten-year trial on the worst election-related violence in Philippine history.

READ: What went before: West election-related violence in PH history

READ: After more than 10 years, Maguindanao massacre verdict out on Dec. 19

Brig. Gen. Debold Sinas, acting director of the National Capital Region Police Office, said they have tightened security in the vicinity of the area where the promulgation of the case will be held.

He also assured that the police will secure Presiding Judge Presiding Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221, as well as the prosecutors and lawyers handling the case.

READ: Tighter security ahead of 2009 massacre verdict