Alleged urging of witnesses to retract testimonies vs Ampatuan clan alarms Palace
MANILA, Philippines — Presidential spokesman Harry Roque wants to meet with prosecutors of the Maguindanao massacre case following reports that there are attempts to convince witnesses to take back their testimonies against members of the Ampatuan clan.
Roque, a former counsel of some of the massacre victims, said he would invite President Rodrigo Duterte to the meeting.
"Because this is a public interest case, I’d like to inform the public that I’m arranging a meeting with the panel prosecutors in the Palace again, and again I would like to invite the president to join us in our meeting so that the president can be apprised by the prosecution team on what’s happening," he said.
Roque said prosecutors remain optimistic about the case despite alleged efforts to weaken it.
"I have noted that apparently there are some witnesses against Junior, Andal (Ampatuan) Jr. who have retracted their testimonies but I have been assured by the panel of prosecutors that so far despite the retraction, the case against Unsay remains strong," he said.
Roque said the president wants prosecutors to secure a conviction within the year.
"That is the marching orders of the president to the prosecution panel and that’s why I think the meeting is pursuant to the marching order of the president," he added.
A total of 58 people including 32 journalists were killed in the massacre, considered the worst case of election-related violence and attack on press freedom in the country.
The victims were supposed to witness the filing of the certificate of candidacy for then Buluan Vice Mayor Esmael Mangudadatu when they were abducted and killed by armed men in Ampatuan town.
The massacre, which happened on Nov. 23, 2009, prompted then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to declare martial law in Maguindanao.
Members of the Ampatuan clan, political rivals of the Mangudadatus, were accused of plotting the massacre.
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