After more than 10 years, Maguindanao massacre verdict out on Dec. 19

MANILA, Philippines – Over a decade after the gruesome Maguindanao massacre, the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 221 on Monday announced that it will come out with its decision before Christmas.

A backhoe digs a shallow grave as investigators try to find more bodies, victims of a massacre after gunmen shot and killed over 50 people in Ampatuan town, Maguindanao province on November 25, 2009.  AFP PHOTO

According to a court order dated November 29, 2019, the promulgation of the case was scheduled on December 19 and will be held at the Quezon City Jail Annex – Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City

The Maguindanao massacre case, with over 190 accused individuals, was submitted for a resolution last August.

The Supreme Court had earlier given Quezon City RTC Branch 221 Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes a one-month extension to resolve the decade-old Maguindanao massacre case that resulted in the death of 58 individuals, including 32 members of the media.

They were killed when their convoy was ambushed along the highway in Sitio Masalay, Ampatuan in Maguindanao on November 23, 2009.

The convoy was supposed to deliver the certificate of candidacy of Mangudadatu in Shariff Aguak, as he challenged the Ampatuan clan’s grip on the gubernatorial post.

Several members of the Ampatuan family, including late former Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr. and his son, Andal “Unsay” Jr. were considered as principal accused in the murder case, which took almost 10 years before it was wrapped up.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra welcomed the development of the case, saying he was “glad that we have finally reached the day of reckoning.”

“(T)he prosecution has presented nearly 200 witnesses, and the defense over a hundred, during an intense trial that lasted several years,” he said in a message to reporters.

“(W)e thank the judge for her patience and diligence. (W)e trust that she will dispense justice evenhandedly and with the utmost  respect for the rule of law,” he added.

GSG

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1187328/sc-gives-qc-court-one-month-extension-to-resolve-maguindanao-massacre-case