PNP continue to pursue remaining 80 Maguindanao massacre suspects

November 23, 2020

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday said they are pursuing the remaining 80 suspects in the 2009 Maguindanao massacre who are still at-large.

In a statement, PNP chief General Debold Sinas said manhunt operations continue for 80 more unaccounted suspects in the 11-year massacre, considered the worst single-day attack on journalists, who were among the casualties.

Fifty-eight persons, including 32 journalists, were abducted as they accompanied the wife of then Buluan Vice Mayor Esmael Mangundadatu to file his certificate of candidacy for Maguindanao governor. They were killed by armed men and their bodies were dumped in a mass grave.

“While there are persistent reports that some of these wanted persons have, in fact, left the country, the PNP will continue to exert effort in finding these fugitives to serve the ends of justice,” Sinas said.

In December last year, Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes of Branch 221 of the Regional Trial Court of Quezon City found 28 guilty beyond reasonable doubt. This included  some members of the powerful Ampatuan clan.

Of the almost 200 suspects in the Maguindanao massacre, only 101 were tried while 80 were at large.

Sinas was NCRPO chief when the promulgation was held at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City. Ella Dionisio/DMS