MANILA -- The Department of Justice on Thursday expressed satisfaction with the decision of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) convicting most of the principal accused in the Maguindanao massacre case.
"Today is the day we have waited and I am very happy as secretary of justice that finally justice has been served," Justice Secretary Guevarra told reporters when sought for a comment.
When asked about the acquittal of two of the principal accused Shariff Saydona mayor Datu Sajid Islam, Datu Akmad Ampatuan and several other accused, the DOJ said it "is something that the prosecution has (less anticipated)."
"We know from the beginning where our strength lies and where certain gaps in our evidence exist so this is something more or less expected. We're happy with the decision of the court. We trust that the judge has extensively examined the evidence and we trust in her impartiality in her rendition of this very important judgment," Guevarra said.
Guevarra also thanked both state and private prosecutors involved in this case for the tireless effort they exerted in making sure that judgment will come and the deaths of "so many victims including members of the journalism profession will find their day of redemption".
Meanwhile, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said the decision is a triumph of the country's justice system.
“We have shown that in this country, criminals face the consequences of their crimes under our laws. We congratulate the court and the prosecutors for a job well done. We shall coordinate with the Department of Justice in enforcing the decision of the court,” Año told reporters when sought for a comment.
Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police (PNP) also hailed the decision.
"This triumph of justice sends a strong message that the majesty of the law does not bow to the rich and powerful," PNP Officer-in-Charge, Lt. Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa told reporters.
He said the PNP will double all efforts to account for Ampatuan massacre convicts who are still at-large upon promulgation of the consolidated partial decision by RTC Branch 221 Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes.
Gamboa said the PNP is duty-bound to implement all actionable orders of the court when it meted the guilty verdict to the accused in the murder of 57 persons in Ampatuan, Maguindanao 10 years ago on November 23, 2009.
Eighty more accused in the celebrated 2009 mass murder remain at large.
Gamboa directed the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), Intelligence Group and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) police to launch massive manhunt operations for the 80 fugitives, including accused dismissed police Inspector Michael Joy Ines Macaraeg who did not appear during the promulgation of the decision.
The court has issued an arrest warrant against him.
"Considering the nature of their crime and their continued flight from justice, we presume these fugitives to be armed and dangerous," Gamboa said.
BARMM is constantly monitoring the activities of known supporters and followers of the Ampatuans in Maguindanao.
The Maguindanao massacre, which is considered as the worst single peace-time incident in recent Philippine history, occurred in Sitio Masalay, Buluan town in Maguindanao. The victims were part of a convoy carrying family members, supporters and journalists were on their way to file his certificate of candidacy in Shariff Aguak.
The journalists were invited by Mangudadatu to cover the scheduled filing of his COC at the Commission on Elections provincial office in Shariff Aguak.
Around 200 armed men, mostly belonging to state-sanctioned paramilitary forces that they used as their private army, intercepted the convoy and escorted them to Buluan town in Ampatuan where they were told to get off their vehicles.
The victims were massacred and buried in hastily-dug grave using a government-owned excavator.
Mangudadatu’s sister and aunt who were both pregnant were among those brutally killed by the armed men. (with reports from Benjamin Pulta/PNA)
