Ampatuan plea to stop Maguindanao massacre promulgation junked

FILE: Maguindanao massacre site in Barangay Salman, Ampatuan, Maguindanao (PCOO photo)

MANILA — The Quezon City Regional Trial Court has turned down a plea by accused Datu Andal “Unsay” Ampatuan to put off the promulgation of the court’s judgment in the cases arising from the Maguindanao massacre.

In her five-page order dated October 25 released Monday, Branch 221 Judge Jocelyn A. Solis-Reyes denied the motion to re-open trial with a motion to suspend period to set the promulgation of judgment filed by Ampatuan on October 14.

Ampatuan’s lawyers had initially asked that the proceedings should be suspended and claimed that prosecution witness Sukarno Badal contacted them through representatives claiming that he would want to recant his testimony and that what he mentioned during the presentation of evidence were not all true.

The panel of prosecutors led by Prosecutor Arthur Velasco objected to the motion on several grounds — that there is no newly discovered evidence to justify the reopening of the trial, likewise citing that the necessary judicial affidavit is not attached to the motion.

Subsequently, the witness himself denied he intends to change his testimony and said he would not likely approach the Ampatuans as the latter would kill him.

“With the denial made by prosecution witness Sukarno Badal of his intention to recant his previous testimony …it is crystal clear that the ground relied upon by the accused for the reopening of trial has no leg to stand on,” the court said as it denied Ampatuan’s motion.

The Maguindanao massacre, which occurred on November 23, 2009, resulted in the death of 58 individuals including 32 journalists, the single worst peace-time incident involving attacks on newsmen.

Other victims were family members and supporters of the Ampatuan clan’s political foe, Esmael Mangudadatu.