Palace vows to push Ampatuan massacre case forward

MANILA, Philippines—Amid criticisms of the slow-paced trial of the Ampatuan massacre, Malacanang on Saturday assured the public that it is concentrating in pushing the case forward.

“We assure you that the government is doing its best to push the interest of the state in this case. We can assure you that our efforts have been concentrated on pushing the case forward,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigil Valte said on state-run radio.

Valte, however, said the executive is “only part of the prosecution.” She pointed out that other branches of government were also involved in the trial.

“The executive branch is not the only branch in play here,” she said.

The Palace official, however, assured the government’s commitment to avoid delays in the conviction of the suspects in the 2009 massacre.

“Patuloy po kaming nakikiramay sa nangyari po sa inyo at nakikiisa po tayo doon sa hangarin na sana’y mapabilis din po ang takbo ng kasong ito,” she said.

(We continue to condole with the victims and we are one with those hoping that the case will soon be resolved.)

On November 23, 2009, 58 people including 32 journalists were ambushed in Ampatuan town in Maguindanao as they joined relatives of then Buluan Vice Mayor Esmael Mangudadatu on their way to file his certificate of candidacy for Maguindanao governor.

The Ampatuans, a political clan that has been engaged in a long-running feud with the Mangudadatu family, were accused of orchestrating the massacre.

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