'Look at your handiwork': Journalists confront massacre suspect

MANILA, Philippines - Journalists came face-to-face yesterday with accused mass murderer Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., showing him graphic pictures of the mutilated bodies of the 57 people massacred in Maguindanao last month.

Ampatuan, in a bullet-proof vest and shackles, stumbled several times as he was surrounded by angry protesters who waited for him to emerge from his detention cell at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) headquarters in Manila.

Ampatuan was summoned to appear at the preliminary investigation at the Department of Justice (DOJ) to answer the charges of multiple murder filed against him.

As he emerged from a van that shuttled him to the DOJ building, Ampatuan was again harassed by angry journalists and protesters who shoved pictures of the victims at his face. There were even attempts to kick him but he was protected by heavily armed NBI operatives.

Ampatuan sustained a cut above his right eyebrow after he was hit by a camera lens held by an unidentified news photographer.

Even his lawyer Sigfrid Fortun was not spared by the angry crowd of black-shirted journalists and photographers, who threw the grisly pictures at him and shouted “Mukhang pera (greedy)” as he tried to make his way through the crowd.

A streamer made by the National Press Club showed photos of the Ampatuans and the murdered journalists with a message to Fortun: "Look at what your clients did to these mediamen."

But Fortun merely replied: “Everybody deserves to have a lawyer. I’m just doing my job.”

Angry journalists led by Marlon Purificacion of People’s Journal said their move is a show of support and sympathy for the 57 families of the massacre victims that included 30 journalists.

Other protesters led by former police officer Abner Afuang shouted invectives and threw a placard at the convoy.

Ampatuan Jr., the only suspect indicted in the massacre so far, is facing 25 counts of murder. Several witnesses said he personally led the carnage on Nov. 23.

State prosecutors called for the preliminary investigation to receive additional complaints and evidence from investigators and victims’ relatives against Ampatuan and 160 other people, including his father, clan patriarch Andal Ampatuan Sr., and several brothers, police officers and government-armed militiamen who allegedly took part in the massacre.

Senior State Prosecutor Rosanne Balauag said the prosecution team would review the evidence to determine if other suspects should be indicted and then will try to consolidate all the cases into one multiple murder case.

Fortun, however, moved to waive the right of Ampatuan and his family to dispute the charges against them.

He said Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera has already prejudged the Ampatuans.

“We cannot expect anything from this particular type of a justice system,” Fortun said.

“The DOJ has been saying a lot of nasty things about this case. So how can you expect anything from them,” he said.

Fortun said the DOJ has refused to furnish them the documents necessary to defend his client.

“First, we requested a waiver of appearance for Ampatuan Jr. But for some reason the (prosecution) panel insisted (for him) to appear. I don’t know, perhaps… for some purpose,” he said.

Fortun said the Ampatuans are no longer interested in filing a counter affidavit to dispute the allegations and waiving their right to submit defense.

He said the filing of a counter affidavit would be useless.

“In connection to statement made by the Justice Secretary that the case is strong and the Ampatuans will be incarcerated for a long time, we, and the Ampatuans, are submitting (the case) for resolution,” Fortun told Balauag and the panel.

Balauag immediately told Fortun to submit a formal manifestation of his move.

Balauag reminded Fortun that they would still have to await the resolution of the charges at the end of the preliminary investigation since the complaints would have to be consolidated.

Balauag ordered the lawyers of the complainants to submit their formal entry of appearance with the list of their respective clients. Among the counsels who appeared on behalf of the complainants was UP professor Harry Roque Jr.

The prosecutors moved to set another hearing on Dec. 28.

‘You look like a dog’

During the 30-minute preliminary hearing, Ampatuan appeared uneasy, but kept yawning. He was wearing a military camouflage bulletproof vest and his handcuffs were linked to a chain tied around his waist that appeared to cause him discomfort.

Buluan Vice Mayor Esmael Mangudadatu, the Maguindanao gubernatorial candidate who planned to challenge the Ampatuans and whose wife, sisters and other relatives were among those killed, attended the hearing.

Mangudadatu later said he was “seething with anger” upon seeing Ampatuan.

“I told him, 'You look like a dog’. I also have a dog in chains at home,” he told reporters.

He said the Ampatuans’ refusal to submit counter-affidavits “clearly means they could not respond because the evidence against them is strong.”

Balauag later explained in a news conference that the waiver of the Ampatuans to submit a defense would mean that the “allegations specified in the complaints have remained uncontroverted.”

She has also given assurance that “the resolution will be based on evidence submitted to the panel and no other matters will be considered.”

Balauag added the prosecution panel would resolve the case within 60 days.

The lawyers of the complainants sought the transfer of the other respondents in the case to Manila, but the prosecution panel said this issue would be up to the police to resolve since it would involve security issues.

Prosecutors also noted the security concerns of transferring Ampatuan to the jurisdiction of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221under Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes where the murder case will be tried.

The Supreme Court has ruled in favor of holding the trial at a still undisclosed facility inside Camp Crame, the headquarters of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Quezon City.

PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina said they have already made security arrangements for the hearings.

“Definitely, there will be appropriate security measures in Camp Crame once the hearing of the case begins. As always, we are ready to provide security, anywhere, anytime when needed,” he said.

Aside from Andal Jr., among the respondents in the case are his father, former Maguindanao governor Andal Sr., Shariff Aguak Vice Mayor Ulo Ampatuan, Salibo Vice Mayor Kanor Ampatuan, Shariff Aguak police auxiliary Tony Kenis Ampatuan, Abdullah Sangki, Muhamad Sangki, Tammy Masukat, Tumi Timba Abas, PO1 Abbey Guiadem, a certain Kumader Beri and a certain Dahutay.

The DOJ panel also included Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan in the charge sheet in the complaint filed by the NBI last Dec. 14.

The investigation of the NBI covers complaints of the PNP and NBI against some 200 respondents involving 40 of the 57 counts of murder. Senior State Prosecutor Leo Dacera III said the remaining 17 counts would be filed on Monday. –With Cecille Suerte Felipe, Edith Regalado, Rose Tamayo-Tesoro, Perseus Echeminada, AP