MANILA – Malacañang on Monday assured that authorities will go after the suspects in the infamous 2009 Maguindanao massacre that are still at large.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque made the statement as the Palace joined the nation in commemorating the massacre, saying justice has been served for most of the victims.
“May mga suspek pa rin na hanggang ngayon ay nakakatakas ngunit mahuhuli rin po ‘yan at papanagutin sa ilalim ng ating mga batas. We will never forget,” Roque said in his virtual presser from Davao City.
“Ating inaalala ang Maguindanao massacre, may labing-isang taon na ang nakalipas. Nakamit na ang hustisya sa ilalim ng administrasyong Duterte, at least nakakulong na ngayon ‘yung magkapatid na Ampatuan at ito ay katarungan na rin para sa mga biktima at kamag-anak ng mga namatay nang nahatulan ng guilty ang mga nagplano ng Maguindanao massacre,” he added.
A total of 58 people, including 32 media workers, were killed in the Maguindanao massacre in 2009. They were on their way to file a certificate of candidacy for then Buluan town vice mayor Esmael Mangudadatu, running against then-incumbent mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr.
Last year, Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221 Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes convicted 28 people – including brothers Andal “Unsay” Ampatuan Jr. and Zaldy Ampatuan – of 75 counts of murder and sentenced up to 40 years in prison without parole.
As stated in the dispositive portion of the 761-page decision, the prosecution was able to “establish the guilt beyond reasonable doubt” of the accused.
Also convicted Ampatuans were Datu Anwar Sajid “Ulo” Ampatuan and Anwar “Ipi” Ampatuan Jr. Some cops led by former Chief Inspector Sukarno Dicay of 15th Regional Mobile Group, and a number of civilians got the same punishment.
Fourteen cops and an Ampatuan aide, Bong Andal, were sentenced to six to 10 years of imprisonment for being accessories to the crime. The court ordered the arrest of the 80 suspects who remain at large.
Sajid Islam Ampatuan and Datu Akmad “Tato” Ampatuan Sr., meanwhile, were acquitted due to “reasonable doubt.” Fifty-four others were also absolved from the crime.
The Maguindanao Massacre is considered as the Philippines’ worst case of election-related violence and the single deadliest attack on journalists since detailed records were kept./PN
