Primary suspect in Maguindanao massacre submits formal offer of evidence
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Primary suspect in Maguindanao massacre submits formal offer of evidence
Mike Navallo,
ABS-CBN News
Published Nov 07, 2018 08:20 PM PHT
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Updated Nov 07, 2018 08:25 PM PHT
MANILA - The camp of former Datu Unsay, Maguindanao Mayor Andal Ampatuan, Jr. has filed his formal offer of evidence in the multiple murder cases he is facing before a Quezon City court.
MANILA - The camp of former Datu Unsay, Maguindanao Mayor Andal Ampatuan, Jr. has filed his formal offer of evidence in the multiple murder cases he is facing before a Quezon City court.
Andal is the primary suspect in the Ampatuan massacre which saw 58 family members from rival Mangudadatu clan, their lawyers, supporters and journalists, killed on the morning of November 23, 2009.
Andal is the primary suspect in the Ampatuan massacre which saw 58 family members from rival Mangudadatu clan, their lawyers, supporters and journalists, killed on the morning of November 23, 2009.
Thirty-two media practitioners perished that day, in what is considered to be the single deadliest day for journalists in the world.
Thirty-two media practitioners perished that day, in what is considered to be the single deadliest day for journalists in the world.
In his formal offer submitted to the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Br. 221 on Monday, Andal listed documents and affidavits which will prove that he was attending a meeting and never left the Datu Unsay municipal building from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. of November 23, 2009, when the killings took place.
In his formal offer submitted to the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Br. 221 on Monday, Andal listed documents and affidavits which will prove that he was attending a meeting and never left the Datu Unsay municipal building from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. of November 23, 2009, when the killings took place.
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He also offered the affidavit of witness Thonti Lawani who recanted his previous testimony claiming that he saw Andal at the massacre site.
He also offered the affidavit of witness Thonti Lawani who recanted his previous testimony claiming that he saw Andal at the massacre site.
Lawani’s initial testimony in 2011 was part of the prosecution’s evidence seeking to implicate Andal but in his recent testimony in September this year, he claimed that he was only forced to testify by Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu, whose wife and sisters were among the victims in the massacre.
Lawani’s initial testimony in 2011 was part of the prosecution’s evidence seeking to implicate Andal but in his recent testimony in September this year, he claimed that he was only forced to testify by Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu, whose wife and sisters were among the victims in the massacre.
The prosecution however presented other eyewitnesses.
The prosecution however presented other eyewitnesses.
End is near
Andal’s submission brings the case a step closer towards a ruling.
Andal’s submission brings the case a step closer towards a ruling.
A formal offer of documentary and object evidence is submitted after a party has presented its testimonial evidence in court.
A formal offer of documentary and object evidence is submitted after a party has presented its testimonial evidence in court.
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Since the defense is last to present evidence, the prosecution will only need to comment on the formal offer and the court will rule on whether or not to accept Andal’s evidence, before the court comes out with a decision.
Since the defense is last to present evidence, the prosecution will only need to comment on the formal offer and the court will rule on whether or not to accept Andal’s evidence, before the court comes out with a decision.
Originally filed in a Cotabato City court in December 2009, the consolidated case was transferred to Quezon City the same month.
Originally filed in a Cotabato City court in December 2009, the consolidated case was transferred to Quezon City the same month.
Judge Luisito Cortez, the judge to whom the case was originally raffled, inhibited out of fear for the safety of his family and staff.
Judge Luisito Cortez, the judge to whom the case was originally raffled, inhibited out of fear for the safety of his family and staff.
Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes of QC RTC Branch 221 has been hearing the case for the past 9 years.
Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes of QC RTC Branch 221 has been hearing the case for the past 9 years.
In the course of the trial, several witnesses have been killed.
In the course of the trial, several witnesses have been killed.
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Co-accused Andal Ampatuan, Sr. himself died in July 2015 after being confined for almost two months at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute in Quezon City.
Co-accused Andal Ampatuan, Sr. himself died in July 2015 after being confined for almost two months at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute in Quezon City.
Andal Jr.’s brother, former ARMM Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan, is being tried separately along with more than 150 other accused, also being heard by Judge Solis-Reyes.
Andal Jr.’s brother, former ARMM Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan, is being tried separately along with more than 150 other accused, also being heard by Judge Solis-Reyes.
Several of the accused have been granted bail, including Andal Jr.’s brother, Sajid.
Several of the accused have been granted bail, including Andal Jr.’s brother, Sajid.
The sheer number of suspects and victims involved had prompted the Supreme Court to issue new guidelines in December 2013 to speed up the trial, requiring the submission of judicial affidavits and allowing the judge to hold separate trials for the accused.
The sheer number of suspects and victims involved had prompted the Supreme Court to issue new guidelines in December 2013 to speed up the trial, requiring the submission of judicial affidavits and allowing the judge to hold separate trials for the accused.
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