Prosecutors seek arraignment of Andal Sr. in massacre case

MANILA, Philippines – Private prosecutors will push for the immediate arraignment of the other accused in the Maguindanao massacre case.

This after the Court of Appeals dismissed the petition filed by former Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr., one of the accused in the carnage of 57 people in Maguindanao on Nov. 23, 2009, to strike out his name off the charge sheet.

Private prosecutor Nena Santos said they would manifest that Quezon City Regional Trial Court 221 Judge Jocelyn Reyes-Solis already set the arraignment of Ampatuan patriarch.

Of the principal accused, only former Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. has been arraigned for the multiple murder charge.

Santos also urged other divisions of the Appelate court to resolve the other pending petitions by the members of the Ampatuan clan accused in the case.