Victim's kin goes hysterical at Maguindanao massacre trial

MANILA, Philippines – Today's hearing of the Maguindanao massacre case was briefly disrupted after the wife of a slain journalist went hysterical outside the Quezon City Regional Trial Court.

Myrna Reblando, wife of the late reporter Bong Reblando, shouted and cursed at the Ampatuan lawyers while the NBI medico-legal officer, Dr. Reynaldo Romero, was presenting the autopsy results on the witness stand.

"Tell (defense) Atty. Andres Manuel, he's dumb," she said while other victims' relatives and private prosecution lawyer Nena Santos tried to calm her down.

In his previous cross-examination of another medico legal officer, Dr. Dean Cabrera, Manuel hinted that some of the victims might have died of other illnesses, such as heart attack.

As the court proceedings resumed, Senior Deputy State Prosecutor Richard Anthony Fadullon asked Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes for all of the victims' relatives to be escorted out of the courtroom because "they can't handle the testimony of the doctor."

Edith Tiamzon, another victim's relative, said the claim of Manuel that the victims killed each other is ludicrous.

Romero also continued his presentation of the autopsy results on the relatives of Maguindanao Gov. Toto Mangudadatu.

On Nov. 23, 2009, 57 people, including 32 journalists, were shot to death by gunmen, allegedly led by former Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., at a hilly portion of Brgy. Salman, Sitio Malatin, Maguindanao.