DOJ confident of securing ‘just decision’ on Ampatuan massacre case

With "more than sufficient evidence" against the alleged primary perpetrators of the gruesome murder of 58 people in Ampatuan, Maguindanao in 2009, the Department of Justice (DOJ) is confident of securing a "just" court decision next year.

This was Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra's assertion on Friday, the ninth anniversary of what was described as the worst case of election-related violence in the country and the single deadliest attack on journalists.

The trial of the accused, including former Datu Unsay, Maguindanao mayor Andal Ampatuan, Jr., began in 2010. After more than eight years, the Quezon City judge handling the multiple murder cases may be nearing the promulgation of a partial judgment.

"We could have done it faster but we have no complete control over the pace of the trial," Guevarra said, referring to state prosecutors. "Those are multiple murder cases with hundreds of accused individuals with their own separate counsel."

"At any rate, we have now reached the end game, and I am confident that the prosecution has presented more than sufficient evidence, at least as against the principal accused, to secure a just decision next year," the Justice chief said.

Court records show that of the 197 individuals accused of 58 counts of murder, 80 remain at large. Ninety-seven have been arrested, 11 are on bail, and eight have either been dropped from the charges or seen the cases against them dismissed.

Five have died, including alleged massacre mastermind Andal Ampatuan, Sr.

The Ampatuans are accused of orchestrating the gruesome killing of 58 individuals, 32 of whom were members of the media who accompanied the camp of then gubernatorial candidate Esmael "Toto" Mangudadatu -- of a rival clan -- in filing his certificate of candidacy for the 2010 elections. —LDF, GMA News