Dismissal of cops linked to Maguindanao massacre sought by victims’ kin

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Five days shy of the fifth year commemoration of the Maguindanao massacre on November 23, the families of 13 victims sought the ruling of the National Police Commission (Napolcom) on a grave misconduct case they filed in 2009 seeking dismissal of 62 cops involved in the said murder.

In a motion for immediate resolution filed Wednesday before the Napolcom, the victims’ kin, through their counsel, Attorney Harry Roque, said the 2009 Napolcom only needs substantial evidence to be able to rule on the case.

“Further, the only main legal issue to be resolved in this administrative case is whether or not herein respondents policemen are administratively liable for grave misconduct in relation to their respective conducts as policemen when the 23 November 2009 Maguindanao massacre happened. Also, it only requires substantial evidence to determine the main legal issue of this administrative case,” the motion read.

They lamented that it has been three years and 11 months since they have lodged the complaint.

“On 17 December 2010, Complainants filed before the Honorable Office their “Formal Offer of Evidence” in this administrative case. It has been three (3) years and eleven (11) months since Complainants filed their “Formal Offer of Evidence” in this administrative case,” the motion stated.

The families of the victims cited the “unreasonable delay” of the cops’ camp in responding to the formal offer of evidence they have filed three years and 21 days ago as a justification to grant the immediate resolution of the case.

The gruesome murder transpired on November 23, 2009, and left 57 people dead, 32 of which are members of the press. The deaths were linked to the powerful Ampatuan political clan, with Andal Ampatuan Jr., as the primary suspect in the landmark case.

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