Guevarra recantation of witness in Maguindanao massacre has “no impact” on case

October 10, 2018

The Department of Justice on Wednesday said the recantation of a witness in the Nov. 2009 Maguindanao massacre case against principal accused Andal "Datu Unsay" Ampatuan Jr has "no impact."

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the retraction of Thonti Lawani of his testimony he saw Ampatuan giving orders to his commanders before the killing of 58 people has not affected the prosecution's case.

"It has no impact on the case against Ampatuan. The prosecution has more than enough evidence and its case against Ampatuan remains very strong despite the recantation," Guevarra said in an interview.

Guevarra said the prosecution panel composed of public prosecutors and private lawyers had presented many eyewitnesses during trial to establish the involvement of Ampatuan.

Lawani had said he saw Ampatuan giving orders to his men at a crossing in Sitio Masalay, Ampatuan town and he witnessed a convoy of vehicles going toward the hilly portion of the area where the massacre happened.

In his 10-page affidavit submitted to the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221 last month, the witness claimed he was pressured by the family of Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu to testify against Ampatuan.

“I was so afraid of my safety and most especially the safety of my family...They threatened that they will kill us if we do not say the things they wanted us to say in their favor. Our whole family was being held hostage by the Mangudadatu family,” the affidavit stated.

Lawani  claimed Mangudadatu told him what to say in court after taking him and his family and some of his men from their house in Masalay.

“The things I said are not true. They forced me and I was left without a choice because they held my life and that of my family in Buluan. They held my family hostage and in exchange for their safety, I have to testify on matters that are pure lies,” he claimed.

Nena Santos, lawyer of Mangudadatu and private prosecutor in the case, denied the allegation and said their camp plans to file perjury charges against Lawani.

Ampatuan, the alleged mastermind, said he was at the municipal building of Datu ay town when the killings happened.

Ampatuan presented witnesses claiming to have seen him at the session hall of the municipal building.

Guevarra said the justice department expects the Quezon City Regional Trial Court to hand down its verdict next year.  DMS