Prosecution stymied by withdrawal of Ampatuan lawyers in massacre case

Former Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The prosecution’s scheduled formal offer of evidence against 28 accused in the Maguindanao massacre trial on Wednesday had to be postponed because some members of the Ampatuan clan, the principal suspects behind the carnage, were without lawyers.

“We couldn’t file since Ampatuans have no counsel,” private prosecutor Harry Roque said after Wednesday’s hearing.

Roque had earlier accused the defense of employing a delaying tactic through the withdrawal of lawyers Philip Sigfrid Fortun, Andres Manuel Jr. and Paris Real, who represent a total of 25 defendants, including Andal Ampatuan Sr. and Andal Ampatuan Jr.

Fortun, however, denied their action was a ploy to delay the trial, claiming that Ampatuans already hired new lawyers even before he and the other defense lawyers withdrew from the case. They gave no explanation for their withdrawal.

“All Ampatuans declared in court that they’re still looking for new counsel,” Roque said, belying Fortun’s claim.

Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221 gave the Ampatuans seven days to get new lawyers.

“In view of the earlier manifestations made by Datu Andal Ampatuan Sr., Datu Andal Ampatuan Jr., Datu Sajid Anwar Ampatuan, Datu Akmad Tato Ampatuan and other accused affected by the withdrawal of appearance… said accused are hereby given seven days from today within which to secure the services of the new counsel who will represent them in these cases,” said the judge’s order, which was dated Aug. 13.

Some accused have opted to be represented by the Public Attorney’s Office. The court assigned lawyer Laguindab Marohombsar as counsel de oficio of the following: Talembo Masukat, Mohades Ampatuan, Misuari Ampatuan, Macton Bilungan, Norman Tatak, Omar Bulatukan Kayansang, Abedin Alameda, Nicomedes Amad Tolentino, Ibrahim Kamal Tatak, Tato Sampogao, Datutulon Malaguial Esmael, Morales Sisay Amilol and Datukan Malang Salibo.

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