CA junks Zaldy Ampatuan plea to exclude him from massacre case

MANILA, Philippines—The Court of Appeals has dismissed the petition of detained former Autonomous Region on Muslim Mindanao Governor Zaldy Ampatuan to exclude him as accused in the multiple murder case in connection with the 2009 Maguindanao massacre.

A court official, who asked not to be identified for lack of authority to speak with the media, told the Inquirer Tuesday that the appellate court’s Special 11th Division voted 4-1 in junking Ampatuan’s petition.

Another court official confirmed that the five-member division of the appellate court has rendered a decision on the matter.