Maguindanao trial interpreter quits; threats eyed

“The court is doing its best… what else do you want?”

This was Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes’ response to defense lawyer Sigfrid Fortun on Thursday after the latter complained about the absence of a court interpreter, which led to the suspension of the Maguindanao massacre trial for a second straight day.

The Maguindanaoan interpreter —lawyer Rolando Abu—informed the court that he could no longer do translations because of an ear ailment.

A source in the prosecution camp, however, said Abu might have decided to quit after Fortun’s client—former Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr.—allegedly threatened him during a court break last Thursday.

Reyes told Fortun the court was doing its best—calling up the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), government officials of Zamboanga and even the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process—to find another interpreter, to no avail.

“The court is doing its best to expedite the proceedings… what else do you want?” Reyes said.

Fortuno said the court and the prosecutors should have been prepared for Abu’s absences and gotten a backup interpreter.

“This trial did not start only this year. Attorney Abu said as early as September last year that he would not be able to attend all the hearings. This should have been foreseen,” Fortun told the court.

He said trial delays—especially when caused by the unavailability of an interpreter—cast the judiciary and the legal profession in a bad light.

Abu was needed this week because five accused were scheduled to be arraigned while two defense lawyers were to cross examine government witness Esmael Enog Amil.

He begged off on Wednesday, telling the court he was not feeling well. On Thursday, court staff found his mobile phone had been turned off. The court and the prosecutors then received a letter from Abu saying that he could no longer work as an interpreter because of an ear ailment.

Reyes said her staff did their best on Wednesday to look for a new interpreter.

Fortun replied that the court’s best efforts “apparently” were not enough, pointing out that no less than the Supreme Court had designated it a special court to try the Maguindanao massacre case.