All set for Ampatuan trial at Crame

MANILA, Philippines - More than a month after the Maguindanao massacre, Datu Unsay town Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. is set to stand trial today for the deaths of 57 political rivals, journalists and lawyers in what is considered the worst election-related violence in Philippine history.

Ampatuan Jr., son and namesake of the former Maguindanao governor, will appear before Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes at 9 a.m. today at the heavily secured Non-Commissioned Officers’ Club at Camp Crame in Quezon City, according to Supreme Court spokesman Jose Midas Marquez.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) said it is ready to prosecute Ampatuan Jr. for multiple murder.

“We believe that our case is strong,” Assistant Chief State Prosecutor Richard Anthony Fadullon said.

Fadullon said they expect the court to also tackle today the defense’s petition for bail as well as its request for an explanation on why the accused had to be brought to the DOJ for preliminary investigation last Dec.18. The accused is also expected to be arraigned today.

“Any accused can request the court to be allowed to post bail. But before it can be granted, they should prove first that the evidence of prosecution is weak,” he said. Some media men reportedly manhandled Ampatuan Jr. while he was being brought to the DOJ from the National Bureau of Investigation for preliminary investigation.

Sigfrid Fortun, lead counsel for Ampatuan Jr., argued that the appearance of his client in the DOJ hearing only gave outraged members of the media an opportunity to attack the accused.

Fadullon stressed the incident was unexpected and that there was no conspiracy between the DOJ and the media to intentionally hurt Ampatuan Jr.

“We prepared for it. We did everything we could. It’s unfortunate that he (Ampatuan) was mobbed by media and hurt, but it was not intentionally done,” the DOJ official stressed.

Earlier, DOJ officials admitted that Ampatuan Jr. was no longer required to attend the Dec. 18 hearing since he already waived his right to a preliminary investigation when he was subjected to inquest proceedings at the General Santos airport on Nov. 26.

Justice Secretary Agnes Devanandera explained that Ampatuan Jr. was made to appear at the preliminary investigation to give him another chance to defend himself.

In the information sheet against Ampatuan Jr., prosecutors said the mayor committed the murders “with evident premeditation, taking advantage of superior strength, treachery, with cruelty, in an uninhabited place and by a band, armed with firearms, with intent to kill, did then and there willfully, unlawfully, and feloniously attack, assault and shoot the victims.”

The DOJ initially filed an information for 25 counts of murder against the mayor at the Cotabato City RTC Branch 15, which has jurisdiction over Shariff Aguak where the massacre took place.

The DOJ then filed an amended information last Dec. 9, adding 15 more counts to the information after processing documents for 15 more victims.

Another amended complaint for 56 counts of murder was again filed against Ampatuan Jr. last Dec. 21. The DOJ said one more count would be filed in court upon identification of the 57th victim.

The information named “other John Does” as accused. Some 200 other respondents, including members of the Ampatuan clan, are now the subject of preliminary investigation at the DOJ. 

The victims of the massacre were in a convoy on its way to Shariff Aguak capitol where the wife Buluan Vice Mayor Esmael Mangudadatu was to file his candidacy for governor to challenge Ampatuan Jr.

Meanwhile, the Quezon City Police District said it will deploy enough men to secure Judge Solis-Reyes as well as the venue for the hearing.

QCPD director Chief Superintendent Elmo San Diego also said the deployment of anti-riot policemen outside the venue would ensure the safety of Ampatuan Jr. against possible lynching.

“This is still part of our preparation and contingency plan,” he said.

San Diego declined to give details on the security arrangements.

The NBI, through its Task Force Ampatuan, has also undertaken security preparations.

Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said there would be less security concerns with a marathon trial.

“The entire judiciary, all law enforcement agencies and even the national government recognize the security problems that the forthcoming trial will entail,” he said. “If only to help hasten the progress of the case, the Supreme Court should order a marathon trial,” he said. — Reinir Padua, Sandy Araneta, Delon Porcalla, Aurea Calica, Edith Regalado, Nonong Baliao, John Unson, Mayen Jaymalin, Perseus Echeminada