Cotabato exec seeks ‘yamin’ for her, accuser

COTABATO CITY—This city’s administrator, named respondent in the latest complaint against more people implicated in the 2009 Maguindanao massacre, said facing her accusers where they can publicly swear before the Qur’an in solemn rites could help expedite the case.

Lawyer Cynthia Guiani Sayadi, Cotabato City administrator, said a legal “yamin” (swearing before the Qur’an, the Holy Book of the Muslims) will indirectly help the victims’ families gain speedy trial of the case, as it can independently determine guilt or innocence.

Sayadi said otherwise, the charging of 50 more people and possibly more accused in the coming years, would further prolong the judicial process.

In Muslim communities, statements of accusations and defense in a court dispute are usually reduced to yamin by Muslim jurists in the absence of direct evidence or testimony.

The accuser is required to swear. If he or she does not, then the accused would be the one to swear.

A total of 58 people, including 32 media workers, were killed in the massacre allegedly perpetrated by members of the Ampatuan clan in Maguindanao. The victims were on their way to file the certificate of candidacy of then Buluan town vice mayor Esmael Mangudadatu, who was then running for governor, challenging the Ampatuans’ reign.

Sayadi said she has yet to receive a copy of the new case which named her as respondent.

Sayadi was quick to blame Mangudadatu, now the governor of Maguindanao, for the filing of the new case, saying a solemn yamin to be administered publicly by imams and muftis could help clear the air.

Mangudadatu was not around when the Inquirer tried to reach him, but his brother, Mayor Freddie Mangudadatu of Mangudadatu town, said the governor is not involved in the filing of the new case.

Sayadi said the new case is filled with unidentified persons, which means more cases would be filed as 2016 nears.

Among willing to be placed under yamin are Hadji Yakob Lumenda Ampatuan, poblacion barangay chair of Rajah Buayan town, and his younger brother Khudzbari, a mechanic. Nash B. Maulana, Inquirer Mindanao