QC RTC sets verdict on 2009 Maguindanao massacre on Dec. 19

December 2, 2019

The Quezon City Regional Trial Court has set the promulgation of judgement on the  Maguindanao massacre case on December 19, ten years after the killings of 58 people, including 32 journalists.

In an order Monday, Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes of Quezon City RTC, Branch 221, said she will render judgement on the multiple murder cases in connection with the 2009 Maguindanao massacre on Dec. 19 after terminating the trial of the case last August.

“Let the promulgation of judgement in the above-entitled cases be set on December 19, 2019 at 9' clock in the morning to be held at Quezon City Jail Annex, Camp Bagong Diwa, Bicutan, Taguig City, “ Judge Reyes said, in an order dated November 29, copy of which was released to the media.

The case, which involves the murder of 58 individuals by gunmen allegedly upon orders by members of the influential Ampatuan clan, should have been decided last month as it was submitted for resolution last August, but Solis-Reyes asked the Supreme Court for an extension.

The SC granted Solis-Reyes’ request for a one-month extension and she is expected to render a decision on or before December 20.

Tried as principal accused in the multiple murder cases were former Datu Unsay mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. and his siblings, former ARMM governor Zaldy Ampatuan and Sajid Islam Ampatuan.

Their father, former Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan Sr. also among those charged in the case, died in 2015 while under detention due to  illness.

Of the 197 accused, 90 are in detention including the Ampatuan siblings, 11 are out on bail including their brother, Sajid Islam who was allowed to post bail by the court, eight have died including Ampatuan Sr., two accused discharged as state witnesses while six others were dropped as respondents. DMS