Law firm quits defense team of Zaldy Ampatuan in Maguindanao massacre trial

Maguindanao massacre carnage site in Barangay Salman, Ampatuan town in Maguindanao. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — A law firm has bowed out of the defense of Zaldy Ampatuan, the former governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), among the main accused in the 2009 Maguindanao massacre.

The Makati City-based law firm of Fortun, Narvasa and Salazar formally informed on Thursday last week Quezon City regional trial court branch 221 Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes of its decision to withdraw from further defending the ex-ARMM governor.

Based on court records the firm, established by lawyers Philip Sigrid Fortun, Gregorio Narvasa II, and Roderick Salazar III, entered its appearance as lead counsel for Zaldy Ampatuan sometime in April, 2012.

In the two-page withdrawal of appearance, signed by Narvasa and senior associate Albert Lee Angeles, the firm informed the court it was no longer handling Zaldy Ampatuan’s defense.

The law firm further asked the court to send all pleadings, orders and notices directly to Ampatuan at the Quezon City Jail Annex in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City.

The former ARMM official apparently approved the withdrawal of the firm, with his signature appearing beneath Narvasa’s and Angeles’.

The Philippine Daily Inquirer tried to reach for comment the firm’s partners and Angeles through telephone but a receptionist at the firm said that they were “not interested in discussing the matter” and that “Ever since we (the members of the firm) have not been accepting interviews.”

Nevertheless, a court employee said that while the firm withdrew its appearance for Zaldy Ampatuan, it would continue to act as lead counsel for his brother Andal Jr, the former Datu Unsay town mayor, and his father Andal Sr, former Maguindanao governor.

The three Ampatuans are the primary accused in the November 23, 2009 slaughter of 58 people, including 32 media men and members of the Mangudadatu clan, at a hilly portion of Ampatuan town.

On Tuesday afternoon, the Pasig City-law firm Heffron, Esguerra, Dy and De Jesus formally entered its appearance with the Quezon City regional trial court branch 221 as lead counsel for the former ARMM governor and asked the court to furnish it copies of all documents pertinent to the case.

The entry of appearance was signed by lawyers James Keith Heffron, Andre De Jesus, and Kristine Esguerra.