Justice secretary optimistic 2009 Maguindanao massacre case will be resolved next year

June 21, 2018

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Thursday is optimistic the November 2009 Maguindanao massacre will be resolved by next year.

“We believe we can wind up the trial of this case this year and we are hoping that by 2019 a decision will be rendered by the court,” he said in an interview with CNN Philippines.

Guevarra said the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221, where 197 accused are standing trial for the killing of 58 people, is "now winding up with the trial.”

“There are just five remaining accused who are presenting evidence,” he said.

It was found that the cases against the accused led by former Mayor Andal "Datu Unsay" Ampatuan Jr. are in three final stages.

As of November last year, the RTC has heard a total of 273 witnesses: 166 prosecution witnesses, and 107 defense witnesses. The court has resolved all the 15 sets of formal offer of evidence in connection with the bail applications of 70 accused.

It has also resolved all bail applications of the accused, including that of accused Andal “Unsay” Ampatuan, Jr., which was denied last May.

Four of the accused, including Andal Ampatuan Sr. died while in detention while four of the accused who submitted their demurrer to evidence were acquitted.

The murder cases involve 58 victims (including 32 media practitioners), 197 accused (15 surnamed Ampatuans), with 115 arrested - the latest of which was Jonathan Engid, who was arrested last February.

The proceedings are being handled by a panel of 10 public prosecutors, eight private prosecutors, and 23 defense lawyers and firms. Transcripts of stenographic notes have reached 59 volumes, while the records of the cases are 129 volumes thick, plus 10 volumes of prosecution’s evidence. DMS