PNP ready to secure judge in Maguindanao massacre case

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) is ready to beef up security for the judge who will hand down the verdict on the 10-year-old Maguindanao massacre case, an official announced yesterday.

PNP spokesman Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac said police escorts could be provided to Quezon City Regional Trial Branch 221 Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes, who will decide on the infamous massacre case on Dec. 19.

“We are anticipating that the judge will request for additional security,” Banac told reporters.

Ten days to go before the court hands down its verdict, PNP officer-in-charge Lt. Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa ordered the National Capital Region Police Office to heighten  security at the Quezon City jail annex at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.

The PNP said it has not received any specific threat during the promulgation of the case.

Authorities have intensified efforts to hunt town at least 80 suspects in the massacre, who remain at large.

“The PNP assures the families and relatives of the victims that efforts are ongoing for the arrest of the other suspects,” Banac said.

‘No threats vs judge’

Reyes, who handled the murder trial of over a hundred defendants, including members of the Ampatuan clan, has not reported any threats to her safety, according to Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta.

Peralta said Reyes has not asked for security escorts.

“We are always after the security of judges. If they need security, we would provide them. But so far, Judge Reyes has not asked for security detail,” Peralta said.

Reyes was a former student of Peralta.

The Chief Justice believes that Reyes “has nothing to fear” as she handled the trial of the defendants well.

“She has been doing her job well. I think she gave the defendants due process under the Constitution to defend themselves,” Peralta said. 

The Supreme Court will decide today whether or not it will grant the petition of media organizations to allow live coverage and online streaming of the promulgation of judgment.

“There is a recommendation from the Office of the Court Administrator and Public Information Office, but I have to consult the en banc first,” Peralta told reporters.

He said the recommendation includes details on how many reporters would be accommodated inside or outside the courtroom.

Fifty-eight people, including 32 media workers, were killed in the massacre allegedly masterminded by the Ampatuans on Nov. 23, 2009.

A total of 117 people have been arrested, including members of the Ampatuan clan. Seven of them died while in detention, including former Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan Sr. 

His son, former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao governor Zaldy Ampatuan, has been confined at the Makati Medical Center since reportedly suffering a stroke in October.

Charges against nine others have been dropped, including the three suspects who were allowed to become state witnesses. Eleven are out on bail.

Among those who have yet to be accounted for are former Salibo town vice mayor Kanor Ampatuan and Bahnarin Ampatuan, former mayor of Mamasapano.