DOJ sees Maguindanao massacre convictions in 2016

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Justice (DOJ) remains confident it will secure the conviction of the primary suspects in the five-year-old Maguindanao massacre trial before President Aquino’s term ends in 2016.

Outgoing Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said yesterday she expects the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221 to hand down its verdict on Andal Ampatuan Jr. and his brother, former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao governor Zaldy Ampatuan, in June next year.

De Lima cited as a sign the court’s denial of the petitions for bail filed by the Ampatuans.

She said the prosecutors were able to present strong evidence to prove the involvement of the Ampatuans in the Nov. 23, 2009 carnage that killed 58 people, including media workers.

“That is a commitment to the President, that we secure convictions within his term… And I remain confident that before the end of the President’s term, there will be convictions,” De Lima said in an interview on ABS-CBN News Channel.

She said the delay in the resolution of the case was due to the dilatory tactics of the defense lawyers.

“They could maximize their delaying tactics but insofar as the judge is concerned, the dilatory maneuvers by the defense counsels are no longer allowed. So we are confident that verdict will be out soon,” she said.