PNP says massacre ruling shows court does not to bow to ”rich and powerful”

December 20, 2019

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday said the landmark decision of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court on the 2009 Maguindanao Massacre showed a strong message the law does not bow to “rich and powerful” people.

"This triumph of justice sends a strong message that the majesty of the law does not bow to the rich and powerful," said PNP Officer-in-Charge Police Lieutenant General Archie Francisco Gamboa in a statement.

The PNP hailed the guilty verdict on several principal accused and accessories.

Gamboa said they will double all efforts to account for the 80 accused who are still at large upon promulgation of the consolidated partial decision.

''Considering the nature of their crime and their continued flight from justice, we presume these fugitives to be armed and dangerous," he said.

The PNP is duty-bound to implement all actionable orders of the court when it meted the guilty verdict to the accused in the murder of 58 persons in Maguindanao ten years ago.

Gamboa directed Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, Intelligence Group and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao police to launch massive manhunt operations for the remaining 80 fugitives, including accused dismissed Police Inspector Michael Joy Ines Macaraeg who did not appear during the promulgation.

“The Court has issued an arrest warrant against him,” he said.

“BARMM is constantly monitoring the activities of known supporters and followers of the Ampatuans in Maguindanao,” he added. Ella Dionisio/DMS