PNP to double efforts to arrest 80 at-large accused in Maguindanao massacre

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) vowed on Thursday to double its efforts to arrest the 80 still at-large accused in the Maguindanao massacre case.

Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa, PNP officer-in-charge, said this shortly after Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221 handed down a guilty verdict on several of the accused and ordered the arrest of other suspects who were able to evade the clutches of the law.

“This triumph of justice sends a strong message that the majesty of the law does not bow to the rich and powerful,” he said in a statement, adding that the PNP is duty-bound to implement all actionable orders of the court.

Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac, PNP spokesperson, said Gamboa has tapped at least three PNP units to launch massive manhunt against the missing accused for the November 23, 2009 massacre that left 57 people murdered, 31 journalists.

The body of the 58th victim, photojournalist Reynaldo Momay, has yet to be found. Thus, the trial court ruled to acquit the all the respondents, including principal accused Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., for this case.

“Gamboa directed CIDG (Criminal Investigation and Detection Group), IG (Intelligence Group) and BARMM (Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) PNP to launch massive manhunt operations for the 80 fugitives, including accused dismissed Police Inspector Michael Joy Ines Macaraeg who did not appear during the promulgation of decision,” said Banac.

He added that the police regional office in BARMM is consistently monitoring the activities of known supporters and followers of the Ampatuans, who were accused to be the brains of the mass murder.

“Considering the nature of their crime and their continued flight from justice, we presume these fugitives to be armed and dangerous,” he said.