Wrong witnesses arrive at Maguindanao massacre trial

MANILA, Philippines—A Quezon City court hearing the Maguindanao massacre case deferred the presentation of two election officers set to testify on Thursday after the wrong set of witnesses were flown to Manila instead.

The prosecution intended to have Mary Ann Mangudadatu and Heidi Mamalinta of the Commission on Elections in Cotabato City take the witness stand on Thursday but they didn’t show up in court.

Instead, two other election officers—Estelita Urbase and Elsa Atilin— were flown to Manila.

Because of the switch, state prosecutor Peter Medalle asked Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes of Regional Trial Court Branch 221 to defer Mangudadatu and Mamalinta’s court appearance until next week.

The court granted this request although defense attorney Paris Real protested that such incidents lapses were a waste of time and money.

Medalle argued that they coursed their request for the two officers through the Comelec, who sent two other poll officials instead.

“If the Comelec sends the wrong persons, are we obliged to present the wrong people to save on resources?” he asked.