Palace hopes justice to prevail in Maguindanao massacre case

December 17, 2019

Malacanang expressed hope on Tuesday that justice will prevail as the ruling on the Maguindanao massacre is set to be out on Thursday.

In an interview, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the Palace expects the Quezon City Regional Trial Court to decide on the basis of evidence.

"We hope that justice will be given to the parties especially the prosecution. Regardless of who's administration, justice should always prevail," he said.

The promulgation of Maguindanao massacre decision was set by Quezon City RTC Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes on December 19 at the Quezon City jail annex in Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig City after the Supreme Cout granted her request for a 30-day extension to resolve the mass murder case.

Investigation showed that the 58 victims were part of a convoy that accompanied the registration of then Buluan town Vice Mayor Esmael Mangudadatu for the 2010 gubernatorial election.

The incident is known as the Philippines' worst-case election-related violence and the single deadliest attack on the press since detailed records were kept.

After conducting a preliminary investigation, the Department of Justice filed multiple murder cases against 197 accused led by prominent members of the Ampatuan clan. Around 117 people have been arrested including the Ampatuans while charges against nine others have been dropped, including the three who were allowed to become state witnesses and eleven of them are now out on bail.

Seven of them died while in detention, including former Maguindanao Governor Andal Ampatuan Sr. Celerina Monte/DMS