Maguindanao Massacre; Duterte wants partial judgment within 2018

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte wants a partial judgment on some of the individuals tagged in the Maguindanao massacre, considered the worst election-related violence and attack on press freedom in the country.  

“The President has instructed the prosecution panel to do its best to get partial judgment against some of the accused within the year. That is the marching order of the President when he conferred with the prosecution panel. And we hope to do that,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque said at a press briefing yesterday in Cotabao City. 

A total of 58 people, including 32 journalists, died in the massacre, which happened on Nov. 23, 2009.

The victims were supposed to witness the filing of the certificate of candidacy for then Buluan vice mayor Esmael Mangudadatu when they were waylaid and killed by armed men in Ampatuan town. 

Sixteen members of the Mangudadatu clan also died, which prompted then president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to place Maguindanao under martial law. 

Authorities believe political rivalry was the motive for the killing, noting that Mangudadatu was running against then Datu Unsay town mayor Andal Jr. of the Ampatuan clan.  

The Ampatuans—including Zaldy, Andal Sr. and Jr., and Sajid—were among the 197 people accused in the case.