DAVAO CITY — After almost a decade, justice is served to the victims and families of the Maguindanao Massacre.
The court convicted principal suspects mostly belonging to the then influential Ampatuan clan, guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
The court sentenced Datu Andal Ampatuan Jr, former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) governor Datu Zaldy “Puti” U. Ampatuan, Datu Anwar Ampatuan, Datu Ulo Ampatuan, Datu Ipi Ampatuan, to Reclusion Perpetua or life imprisonment without Parole.
About twenty (20) police personnel were also acquitted. The policemen who were acquitted where mostly those who arrived late in the crime scene and did not have any participation to the massacre.
Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221 Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes who handed the landmark ruling on the 2009 Maguindanao massacre handed down the verdict at about 12 noon Thursday, December 19, 2019.
The court decided to read the dispositive portion of the decision after all parties agreed since the decision is contained in 761 pages.
It took the court 51-minutes to read the decision.
The lawyers of the Ampatuan’s immediately informed the court they will file a motion for reconsideration over the verdict in 15-days.
(this story is developing PLS REFRESH for updates)
