Maguindanao massacre trial: Fiscals offer proof to block bail pleas

MANILA, Philippines - The prosecution panel in 2009 Maguindanao massacre has formally offered its evidence to oppose the bail petitions filed by former Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan Sr. and 11 other suspects.

In a 354-page formal offer of evidence, lead prosecutor Archimedes Manabat asked Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221 to admit their evidence against the bail petition of the Ampatuan patriarch and Chief Inspector Sukarno Dicay, former chief of the Maguindanao police.

The offered evidence was also in opposition to the bail petitions of Nasser Esmail, Nicomedes Tolentino, Armando Ambalgar, Misuari Ampatuan, Taya Bangkulat, Salik Bangkulat, Salipad Tampogao, Moktad Daud, Macton Bilungan, and Mohades Ampatuan.

The 12 were among the 58 massacre suspects who filed their respective bail petitions. Among them were Ampatuan’s sons, former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao governor Zaldy and former Datu Unsay mayor Andal Jr.

The prosecution on Sept. 5, 2012 formally offered its evidence against the bail petition of Andal Jr. The court, however, has yet to determine if it would admit the offered evidence.

In its latest offer, the prosecution said it would adopt “all the documentary evidence (and) exhibits, as well as testimonial of witnesses, it presented and offered in opposition to the petition for bail” of Andal Jr.

Among these were the complaint-affidavit of incumbent Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu and the testimonies of various witnesses, including that of former Ampatuan town vice mayor Rasul Sangki.

Sangki earlier testified that Andal Jr. and Dicay were among those who killed the massacre victims.

The prosecution also included in its evidence against Andal Sr. and the 11 other suspects the testimony of suspect-turned-state witness former Sultan sa Barongis vice mayor Sukarno Badal.

They said the testimony of Badal would prove that Andal Sr. revealed the plan to murder Mangudadatu during a meeting at a hotel in Manila on July 20, 2009.

During his testimony earlier this year, Badal claimed that the meeting happened after Mangudadatu insisted on running for Maguindanao governor even after a meeting at the Department of National Defense.

Fifty-eight people, including 32 media practitioners, were killed in the massacre. The media personnel were covering the supposed filing of Mangudadatu’s certificate of candidacy in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao.

Among the dead were Mangudadatu’s wife Genalyn, his two sisters, lawyers, and aides. A total of 197 people were initially tagged in the massacre. Court records show that 106 suspects have already been arrested.