DOJ ‘happy’ with Maguindanao massacre ruling but says ‘work not yet done’

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Justice (DOJ) prosecution panel is “happy” with the court verdict on the 2009 Maguindanao massacre case which ended with the conviction of some of the principal suspects of the gruesome crime.

But the 10-man prosecution panel was quick to acknowledge that its work is not yet done.

“Hindi naman po kasi dahil may na-acquit eh nagkulang na ang prosecution (Just because there are some who were acquitted the prosecution failed). Of course, in a way we’re happy with the decision that was rendered,” Senior Deputy State Prosecutor Richard Anthony Fadullon said.

Of the 101 accused that underwent trial, 28 were convicted including eight members of the influential Ampatuan clan, the mastermind of the massacre. They convicted of 57 counts of murder and sentenced to 40 years in prison without parole.

Fifteen, meanwhile, were sentenced to six to 10 years of imprisonment for being accessories to the crime. However, 56 of the accused were acquitted including four Ampatuan family members: Jonathan, Jimmy, Datu Akmad Tato, and Datu Sajid Islam Ampatuan.

According to Fadullon, the prosecution will go over the 761-page decision and regroup after the holidays to study their next legal action. But for now, they already have an “inkling” who they will look into among the acquitted suspects, he said.

While they cannot appeal the acquittals of more than 50 accused as it was immediately executory, Fadullon said they can ask the  Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221 to review its decision through certiorari within 60 days.
The lawyers of the Ampatuans who were convicted have already said that they file motions for reconsideration and the relevant pleadings.

“I think, as the saying goes, justice delayed is justice denied. But this time, I think that may not necessarily be true. It is worth the wait,” she said.

Other members of the prosecution panel were Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Ma. Emilia Victorio, Senior Assistant State Prosecutor, Olivia Torrevillas, Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Teofel Austria, Senior Assistant City Prosecutor Susan Villanueva, Senior Assistant City Prosecutor Arthur Velasco, Assistant State Prosecutor Rodan Parrocha, Assistant State Prosecutor Michael John Humarang, Assistant State Prosecutor Moises Acayan, and Assistant Prosecution Attorney II Jerome Coronel.

As Quezon City RTC Branch 221 Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes handed down the verdict, Robles thanked all past and current members of the prosecution panel who endured the decade-long trial, former and current DOJ officials and the National Bureau of Investigation for their security.

The Maguindanao massacre has been tagged as the world’s deadliest single attack on media workers, and the worst case of election-related violence in the country.

Thirty-two of the 58 victims were members of the media who had accompanied the filing of candidacy of then-Maguindanao governor aspirant Esmael Mangudadatu.

Edited by MUF