Senators hail Maguindanao massacre verdict; take their hats off to QC court judge

MANILA, Philippines — Senators on Thursday hailed the guilty verdict meted out to several members of the powerful Ampatuan clan and other accused in the murder of 57 people in the gruesome Maguindanao massacre.

The Quezon City Regional Trial Court on Thursday found Datu Andal Ampatuan Jr., a former Maguindanao town mayor, and other members of the influential clan, guilty of 57 counts of murder in what is deemed the worst election-related violence and one of the deadliest attacks against journalists.

The court, meanwhile, acquitted Sajid Islam Ampatuan and Datu Akmad “Tato” Ampatuan Sr. and more than a dozen police suspects due to reasonable doubt.

In a statement, opposition Senator Francis Pangilinan said the conviction of those responsible for the death of the victims should serve as a warning to mass murderers.

“Those behind the daily killings in the brutal drug war launched by this administration should take today’s Ampatuan massacre guilty verdict to heart,” Pangilinan said in a statement.

“The killing of the innocent, the slaughter of the hapless, mass murder must be, will be punished,” he added.

Senator Risa Hontiveros said that the handing down of the Maguindanao massacre verdict “has been a day too long in coming.”

She, nevertheless, said that it was a “step towards the full measure of justice.”

“My heart goes out to the families of all the victims who have suffered for far too long. I am glad that this decision finally saw the light of day, and the truth is this decision should have come sooner,” Hontiveros said.

“The world has waited ten, long years, and finally, we have taken the first step towards healing, accountability, and justice. But this is not where the road to justice ends,” she added.

She said that the next step should be to work toward the “greater goal” of ending the “lawless violence perpetrated by political dynasties who only want to cling to power and look after their own self-interest.”

“We must ensure the success of the BARMM and that the Philippines stops becoming a dangerous place for members of the press, or for anyone exercising their democratic rights,” the opposition senator said.

“The road to justice ends when we ensure that any similar attack on the free press and our democratic rights never happens again,” she added.

Senator Grace Poe said the conviction of the accused was proof that “no one can escape the long arm of the law.”

“Justice came to the families of the victims and the Filipino people with this initial victory after 10 excruciating years. We hail the court for siding with truth. We salute the prosecution team and the witnesses for their unwavering courage,” she said.

“We stand with the families of the victims and support groups for their fortitude… Let us continue to be vigilant to see through this case to its final judgment,” she added.

Hats off to Judge

Senator Joel Villanueva, meanwhile, commended Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221.

“This decision restores faith in the justice system. I salute Judge Jocelyn Solis Reyes for her dedication and her courage to stand for what is right and just,” he said.

“We hope that our authorities continue to account for the other accused who have yet to be arrested and tried,” he added.

Following the verdict, Senator Panfilo Lacson said Solis-Reyes “has immensely contributed to a renewed trust and confidence in the people of the administration of justice in our country.”

“Considering the number of respondents involved, not to mention the power and influence of local politics…the judge who conducted the trial deserves high commendation and gratitude from the judiciary and the whole nation as well,” he said.

“I am certain that she went through tremendous pressure and threats during the conduct of the trial. I, therefore, take my hat off to Judge Reyes for her courage and integrity,” he added.

Senators Leila de Lima and Sherwin Gatchalian also applauded Solis-Reyes.

“Judge Reyes will be remembered for how she tirelessly weighed and appreciated the facts, which led to the conviction of the Maguindanao mass murderers,” De Lima said.

“This day will forever be etched in history as the day justice did not tolerate homicidal and monstrous abuse of power. By means of this guilty verdict, we are reminded that warlords have no place in a democracy, but are its very anti-thesis,” she added.

But De Lima said that in spite of the conviction of those accused, “there is still injustice out there.”

“This is why justice needs to be a continuing cycle wherein accountability continues to be exacted from those who abuse their power to maintain a stranglehold on their position,” she said.

For his part, Gatchalian also empathized with the families of the victims.

“I admire them for their strength and their faith. We continue to pray for peace in their hearts,” he said.

Senator Richard Gordon joined his colleagues in commending the lady judge who he said “displayed her commitment to fulfilling her duty to dispense justice fairly even in the face of considerable intimidation.”

“It was a very hard work for her,” he said.

Senator Francis Tolentino said that while it took several years for the verdict to be handed down, “the attainment of justice shows that faith and vigilance in the judicial system is a primordial norm of a civilized society.”

“While the penalty may be wanting for some, lets us hope that this will never happen again,” he added.

For her part, Senator Imee Marcos said the guilty verdict against those accused was a victory for justice.

“Maituturing na isang tagumpay ng hustisya ang hatol na guilty sa mga principal na akusado ng tinaguriang Maguindanao massacre,” she said.

(The guilty verdict against the principal accused in the Maguindanao massacre can be considered as a victory for justice).

“Bagamat masasabing napakailap ng hustisya dahil na rin sa tagal ng paglilitis, ang promulgasyon na isinagawa ngayon ay positibong aksyon para sa mga biktima, at sa kalaunan ay tuluyang mapanagot ang iba pang akusado sa Maguindanao massacre,” she added.

(While justice may be elusive because of the long trial, the promulgation that was held today is a positive action for the victims which will eventually hold to account the accused in the Maguindanao massacre case).

The decade-long case stemmed from the gruesome attack that resulted in the death of 57 individuals, including 31 members of the media.

Originally there were only 57 counts of murder filed for 57 victims accounted for at the time of filing of the case.

The murder case for 58th victim, photojournalist Reynaldo Momay, was filed belatedly since his body was never found at the crime scene, save for dentures that have been confirmed to be his. Thus, the Information for murder had been amended to 58 counts.

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.