Mangudadatu expects early conviction of massacre suspects

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines   -  Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu on Thursday reiterated that he is confident in the judiciary’s handling of the  November 23, 2009 “Maguindanao Massacre” case,  saying that he is certain of convictions before President Benigno Aquino III steps down in 2016.

“I have full trust and confidence in our justice system,” Mangudadatu told reporters during an informal meeting, where he talked about their preparations for the November 22 commemoration of the 40th founding anniversary of the province.

Mangudadatu said the “ups and downs” he encountered in  seeking justice for the 58 people killed in the massacre, among them his wife, Jenalyn, did not dampen his zeal to pursue the case against the culprits. He did not elaborate.

Thirtytwo of the 58 fatalities in the massacre were journalists who worked for various media outfits.

“Our determination has never dwindled and we are confident that justice will be served, maybe even sooner than expected” Mangudadatu said.

The victims were on their way to the provincial capitol in Shariff Aguak to file  the certificate of candidacy for governor of Mangudadatu, then a vice mayor in Buluan town in the second district of Maguindanao.

Mrs. Mangudadatu and her companions were flagged down along the way by militiamen, led by members of the Ampatuan family, herded into a hill at the southwest of Barangay Masalay in Ampatuan municipality, where they were  shot and killed.

Mangudadatu eventually got elected governor of the province in May 2010, almost six months after the massacre. He was re-elected to a second term during the May 13, 2013 local elections.

Mangudadatu said he is grateful to the families of the journalists who perished in the incident for having remained steadfast too in their pursuit of justice.

Three key witnesses to the massacre, Alijol Ampatuan, Jesse Upam, and Esmail Enog were mysteriously killedand residents in the province are convinced they were murdered to prevent them from appearing in court to testify against members of the Ampatuan clan who were implicated in the case.

Two other prospective witnesses, Bong Andal, who operated the backhoe used in digging the common grave for the massacre victims, and a militiaman named Kenny Dalandag, have yet to testify in court  for various reasons.

Lawyer Prima Quinsayas, counsel for the relatives of 17 of the 32 journalists killed in the massacre, said she does not doubt the government’s commitment to secure convictions soon.

Quinsayas was quoted by local newspapers as saying that she and her clients remain hopeful of quick convictionn of  members of the Ampatuan clan who allegedly masterminded the killing.

The published reports, quoting Quinsaya as source, also stated that President Benigno S. Aquino III directed  the Department of Justice in May to oppose attempts to delay the  trial of the case. - John UnsonMAGUINDANAO, Philippines   -  Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu on Thursday reiterated that he is confident in the judiciary’s handling of the  November 23, 2009 “Maguindanao Massacre” case,  saying that he is certain of convictions before President Benigno Aquino III steps down in 2016.

“I have full trust and confidence in our justice system,” Mangudadatu told reporters during an informal meeting, where he talked about their preparations for the November 22 commemoration of the 40th founding anniversary of the province.

Mangudadatu said the “ups and downs” he encountered in  seeking justice for the 58 people killed in the massacre, among them his wife, Jenalyn, did not dampen his zeal to pursue the case against the culprits. He did not elaborate.

Thirtytwo of the 58 fatalities in the massacre were journalists who worked for various media outfits.

“Our determination has never dwindled and we are confident that justice will be served, maybe even sooner than expected” Mangudadatu said.

The victims were on their way to the provincial capitol in Shariff Aguak to file  the certificate of candidacy for governor of Mangudadatu, then a vice mayor in Buluan town in the second district of Maguindanao.

Mrs. Mangudadatu and her companions were flagged down along the way by militiamen, led by members of the Ampatuan family, herded into a hill at the southwest of Barangay Masalay in Ampatuan municipality, where they were  shot and killed.

Mangudadatu eventually got elected governor of the province in May 2010, almost six months after the massacre. He was re-elected to a second term during the May 13, 2013 local elections.

Mangudadatu said he is grateful to the families of the journalists who perished in the incident for having remained steadfast too in their pursuit of justice.

Three key witnesses to the massacre, Alijol Ampatuan, Jesse Upam, and Esmail Enog were mysteriously killedand residents in the province are convinced they were murdered to prevent them from appearing in court to testify against members of the Ampatuan clan who were implicated in the case.

Two other prospective witnesses, Bong Andal, who operated the backhoe used in digging the common grave for the massacre victims, and a militiaman named Kenny Dalandag, have yet to testify in court  for various reasons.

Lawyer Prima Quinsayas, counsel for the relatives of 17 of the 32 journalists killed in the massacre, said she does not doubt the government’s commitment to secure convictions soon.

Quinsayas was quoted by local newspapers as saying that she and her clients remain hopeful of quick convictionn of  members of the Ampatuan clan who allegedly masterminded the killing.

The published reports, quoting Quinsaya as source, also stated that President Benigno S. Aquino III directed  the Department of Justice in May to oppose attempts to delay the  trial of the case. - John Unson