SC to take up Maguindanao massacre ruling live coverage request
MANILA, Philippines—The Supreme Court (SC) will decide on Tuesday whether or not it will allow the request for an open and live coverage of the December 19 promulgation of the 2009 Maguindanao massacre case.
“There’s already a recommendation from the office of the Court Administrator and PIO (Public Information Office). But I have to consult the en banc,” Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta told reporters on Monday.
“So you will come to know about the procedure after the en banc tomorrow. There’s already a recommendation so whether or not it will be accommodated…that will be taken up tomorrow,” he added.
The National Union of Journalists in the Philippines (NUJP), the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR), and the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) earlier filed a petition before the high court to allow the live coverage of the promulgation of the case.
https://www.inquirer.net/maguindanao-massacre/article/1197532?c10
Editors and other journalists from several media networks, publications backed the petition.
Article continues after this advertisementMembers of the influential Ampatuan clan are among those tried for multiple murder for the massacre on Nov. 23, 2009, which is considered the deadliest attacks on members of the media anywhere in the world.
Article continues after this advertisementOut of the 58 victims who were mostly beheaded and mutilated in Ampatuan town, Maguindanao, 32 were journalists who were covering the filing of the certificate of candidacy of the Ampatuan clan’s fierce rival, Toto Mangudadatu.
Mangudadatu, then vice mayor of Buluan town, was running for governor, challenging Ampatuan, Jr., son of the then incumbent Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan, Sr.
Quezon City Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes has set the promulgation for December 19 at 9 a.m. at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.
The court was supposed to rule on the case before the 10th year anniversary of the massacre on Nov. 23 but it asked the high court to give it more time due to “voluminous records.”
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1197223/decision-on-2009-maguindanao-massacre-out-dec-19
The National Capital Region Police Office has already beefed up the security in Camp Bagong Diwa ahead of the expected promulgation.
NCRPO chief Debold Sinas, however, said no security threat has so far been monitored or received.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1199533/tighter-security-ahead-of-2009-massacre-verdict
