Court orders Ampatuans to find new lawyers

Maguindanao Massacre gravesite. Photo by Carlos H. Conde / Twitter

MANILA — Following the withdrawal of several Ampatuan lawyers from the multiple murder case, the Ampatuan camp is now ordered to look for new counsels.

Regional Trial Court Branch 221 Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes ordered 25 suspects in the Maguinadanao massacre to identify their new lawyers. 

“In view of the foregoing, accused are directed to immediately engage the services of new counsels who will assist them in these cases,” read the one-page order issued last Friday.

Fortun Narvasa & Salazar (FNS) law office, Manuel law office, and Real Brotarlo & Real (RBR) law firm earlier filed withdrawals of appearance in behalf of their 25 clients. 

RBR withdrew appearance for suspects Sajid Islam Ampatuan, Anwar Ampatuan Sr., Akmad “Tato” Ampatuan, Anwar “Datu Ipi” Ampatuan, Sajid Anwar “Datu Ulo” Ampatuan, Nasser Esmail, Nicomedes Amad Tolentino, Bulatukan Omar Kayansang, Datutulon Malaguial Esmael and Datukan Malang Salibo.

Meanwhile, Gregorio Narvasa II, which represents the primary suspects Andal Ampatuan Sr. and his son Andal Jr. Lawyer Andres Manuel also filed a withdrawal of appearance for his 13 clients: Moktar Daud, Mohades Ampatuan, Misuari Ampatuan, Macton Bilungan, Tato Sampogao, Taya Bangkulat, Salik Bangkulat, Ibrahim Kamal Tatak, Norman Tatak, Not Abdul, Abedin Alamada, Morales Sisay Amilol and Talembo Kahar Abdulrahman.