Andal Jr.'s lawyer hoped for an acquittal

The lawyer of Andal Ampatuan Jr. on Thursday admitted he was hoping for an acquittal before the Quezon City court gave its verdict, saying that previous lawyers of the former mayor had given enough proof of his innocence.

"I was hoping for an acquittal because I think the previous lawyers who handled the cases have proven themselves. We have presented enough evidence," lawyer Paul Laguatan said.

In a report by Cecille Villarosa on 24 Oras, Laguatan said that they will file a motion for reconsideration in five days, wherein they will use the lack of ballistic examination as one of their motions.

On Thursday, Andal, with his brother, former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao governor Zaldy Ampatuan, were found guilty for 57 counts of murder over the killing of 58 individuals in what came to be known as the Maguindanao massacre.

The brothers were sentenced to reclusion perpetua, or up to 40 years of imprisonment without parole.

Meanwhile, their brother, Sajid Islam Ampatuan, was acquitted due to what Judge Jocelyn Solis Reyes said was the prosecution's failure to discharge its duty.

"We're happy because he was acquitted. He’s innocent from the very beginning because he has no participation in this crime of the century. He is the good Ampatuan,"  lawyer Manuel Reyes Castro, Sajid's lawyer, said.

Sajid did not show up during Thursday's promulgation. 

According to Castro, Sajid was suffering from hypertension and chest pains.

"He is suffering from hypertension and chest pains. But we will be submitting the medical certificate to the court," Castro said.

Local police who were acquitted by the court also expressed relief.  They were joined by their families during the promulgation.

A total of 197 people, including 15 members of the Ampatuan clan, were found guilty. However, 80 suspects remain at large. —Joahna Lei Casilao/LDF, GMA News