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Netizens praise ‘brave’ Judge Solis-Reyes for Maguindanao massacre case ruling
Quezon City Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes of the Regional Trial Court Branch 221 who handled the Maguindanao massacre case earned the praises of the public after handing down her much-awaited ruling on Thursday.
Netizens took to social media to thank Reyes and acknowledge her bravery after she ruled to convict members of a prominent political clan in southern Philippines for the murder of 57 people in what is regarded as the worst case of election-related violence and the single deadliest attack on journalists since detailed records were kept.
"Remember her name. Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes. What a brave soul. One of the best example of a strong woman. You have my utmost respect and adoration Maam," one netizen commented on a profile story published by GMA News Online.
"Her courage and wit is remarkable! History will forever remember her name in the judiciary system in the country!" another one said on Facebook.
A third one wrote: "Judge Jocelyn Solis Reyes you'll be remembered forever as one of the most brave judge in Phil history."
Faith restored
Others said their faith in the Philippine judicial system got restored because of the outcome of the 10-year murder trial.
"Salute sa'yo Madam Your Honor... napakatapang mong babaeng hukom," one netizen wrote.
A number of the netizens lauded her for being "courageous and independent-minded," and said the country needs more judges like her. They said she has the potential to be a future Ombudsman, or even a Supreme Court justice.
"Judge Solis-Reyes deserves to be in the Supreme Court to enhance SC's image!" read one comment.
"I would really want to see Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes as a Chief Justice of the SC or the Secretary of Justice," added another one.
Others wished her safety from the perils of handling such a high-profile case involving influential personalities. A total of 80 more accused individuals remain at large, and families of the victims fear a possible retribution from them.
For others, however, Solis-Reyes was not necessarily a hero, but was simply doing her mandate.
"You were expected to uphold the law. You are not a hero, you just did your job. Nonetheless, thank you," one said.
Other netizens also heaped praises on the prosecutors, both government and private, for winning the case.
"Congratulations to the team of prosecutors that handled the ampatuan/maguindanao massacre case. Though it took10 years before the guilty party was finally brought to justice, you have proven our justice system still works," said one netizen on Twitter.
761-page decision
In her 761-page decision promulgated on Thursday, Solis-Reyes declared several members of the influential Ampatuan clan guilty of multiple murder for the Maguindanao massacre in 2009.
Along with police officers and other personalities, they were sentenced to reclusion perpetua, or up to 40 years of imprisonment, without parole.
Reyes handed down the decision, a decade after the carnage that claimed 58 lives transpired in Maguindanao province on November 2009.
Quezon City RTC Judge Luisito Cortez was the one originally assigned to handle the case but it was re-raffled and landed on the lap of Reyes after the former inhibited due to security concerns.
Reyes bravely accepted the case and turned down the offer of the Philippine National Police for a security detail.
The trial, which involved almost 200 accused and dragged on for almost a decade, accumulated 165 volumes of case records.
The kin of the massacre victims rejoiced as many of the main accused have been convicted under the decision of the lower court.
On the other hand, the Ampatuans said that they will move for the reconsideration of their conviction. — MDM, GMA News
