Ampatuan death: No effect on massacre case, trial on
Widows cannot forgive
Some of the widows, however, said they could not forgive Ampatuan Sr.
“I cannot forgive him because he has shown no remorse, and the fact that the case has dragged adds to our pain,” said Gloria Teodoro, whose newspaper reporter husband died in the carnage.
“When I saw news of his death today, it was mixed emotions. I was happy that he’s dead, but sad because we have not gotten justice,” said the 46-year-old widow.
“I cannot accept that he died due to sickness, that he died before he can be convicted. He should have paid for his sins in jail,” said 41-year-old Merly Perante, who lost her husband, also a journalist.
“It is very difficult to forgive him. I leave it to the Lord to judge him,” she said.
Article continues after this advertisement“Money talks and money walks in our case,” Teodoro said, as she dared President Aquino to fulfill his promise of concluding the massacre trial before he steps down in June next year.
Article continues after this advertisement“I want to hear him say it, that he will help us find justice,” she said, referring to the President’s annual State of the Nation Address to Congress later this month.
Aquino understands frustration
Malacañang on Saturday assured the families of the Maguindanao massacre victims that the quest for justice would continue despite the death of Ampatuan Sr.
“The case will proceed, of course, against the other accused who remain alive,” said deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte.
“We understand their frustration. We also share their frustration at the pace,” Valte told the state-run Radyo ng Bayan.
But she said the Palace also understands that with the sheer number of accused and not all suspects having even been arrested, the pace of the legal proceedings would vary.
“The President recognizes the feelings of the families. That’s why the President has given strict orders to the prosecution under the executive to make sure that they remain vigilant against dilatory tactics or against delay,” she said.
She added that the President had told the government’s legal team that they should not be the reason for the delay of the case.
“However, we must also recognize that the verdict in this case will not be handed down by the President. It will be handed down by the presiding judge, so that is a reality that we have to live with as well,” Valte said. With reports from Nikko Dizon, Erika Sauler and AFP
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