2 massacre suspects to take stand today

MANILA, Philippines - Two suspects, whose testimonies in the trial for the 2009 Maguindanao massacre were dubbed by the prosecution as “absolute necessity,” are scheduled to take the stand today.

Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes last week granted the two separate pleadings submitted by the prosecution last month, seeking to allow Inspector Rex Ariel Diongon and militiaman Esmael Kanapia to testify.

Diongon and Kanapia are among the 197 accused in the killing of 58 people in Ampatuan town, Maguindanao on Nov. 23, 2009. The prosecution wants them discharged as state witnesses since they do not appear most guilty, and there is no evidence directly linking them to the crime.

A report said the prosecution wanted Diongon to testify so he can identify police officers and civilians who had not been named in the killings.

Kanapia, meanwhile, will testify on the involvement of his fellow militia members.