MANILA – A Quezon City court was left to decide on the Maguindanao massacre case after one of the main suspects submitted evidence recently.
At least 58 people, including 32 journalists, were killed on Nov. 23, 2009, in what was believed to be an attempt of the Ampatuan clan to prevent Maguindanao governor Esmael Mangudadatu from filing his certificate of candidacy for the 2010 elections.
Unsay Ampatuan Jr., former mayor of Datu Andal, Maguindanao, had submitted a formal offer of evidence. The Regional Trial Court Branch 221 in Quezon City would then release a verdict.
“Per information from our prosecution panel, the case against Unsay Ampatuan Jr. is now submitted for decision upon ruling of the court on his formal offer of exhibits,” Acting Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon told the press.
Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes will promulgate the decision, said Fadullon.
Meanwhile Department of Justice secretary Menardo Guevarra the court might issue a resolution in the first quarter of 2019.
“This is a long running case but I’m glad to inform the people that we are now winding up with the trial of this case,” Guevarra said.
“We are confident that the prosecution had presented strong evidence to establish the guilt of the suspects,” he added.
There were a total of 197 accused in the massacre.
Of the total, 103 were undergoing trial for multiple murders, including prime suspect Andal Jr., Zaldy and Datu Sajid Islam Ampatuan, who was allowed to post bail three years ago.
Another accused, former Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan Sr., died in detention on July 17, 2015 due to a liver ailment./PN
