Palace on Maguindanao massacre promulgation: Justice will prevail

MANILA, Philippines—Malacañang is confident that justice will prevail when the court hands down its decision on the Maguindanao massacre on Thursday—10 years after the brutal crime that claimed the lives of 58 people.

“The court will decide on the basis of evidence so we hope that justice will be given to the parties, especially for the prosecution,” presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo told reporters on Wednesday.

Quezon City Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes has set the promulgation of the high-profile case at 9 a.m., December 19, at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.

Members of the influential Ampatuan clan are among the accused in the multiple murder case.

The November 23, 2009 Maguindanao massacre was deemed as the world’s deadliest single attack on members of the media since 32 of the 58 victims were journalists who were part of a convoy that was supposed to cover the filing of the certificate of candidacy of Toto Mangudadatu, a fierce rival of the Ampatuans.

Panelo, who once served as legal counsel of Andal Ampatuan, Jr., one of the principal suspects of the massacre, declined to give his personal take on the upcoming ruling of the case.

“I cannot make any comment because any comment I have will be viewed by people… whether for or against, will sound biased,” Panelo said.

“It’s enough that I say that justice should prevail and the court, we’ll have to respect whatever decision the court will make,” he added.