Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra expressed optimism yesterday that justice will finally be served next year to the 58 individuals killed in the infamous “Maguindanao Massacre” almost nine years ago.
Guevarra said he expects the trial to be terminated as the court and the litigants are “now winding up with the trial on this case.”
Among the dead were 32 journalists and six civilians and family members of then Buluan town Vice Mayor nd now Maguindanao Gov. Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu.
Only five of the accused have yet to present evidence before the sala of Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221 Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes, said Guevarra.
A total of 197 people were originally impleaded, 115 of whom had been arrested for the mass murder. However, a briefer from the Supreme Court public information office said only 103 of the accused remained on trial.
Three decades after the Marcopper mining disaster devastated Marinduque’s waterways, the province is again pressing the…
Housing is probably the biggest issue affecting people the world over.
Malacañang on Monday called for a more thorough investigation into the questioned flood control projects in Taguig…
The defense on Monday backed the move by senator-judges to exclude a prosecution witness who testified on the firearms…
Among accused now presenting evidence is alleged mastermind Andal Ampatuan Jr., the mayor of the town of Datu Unsay, Maguindanao mayor during the commission of the crime.
The crime was intended to stop the wife of Mangudadatu from filing his certificate of candidacy for governor at the time, according to testimonies.
In November last year, President Rodrigo Duterte met with the families of the victims and vowed to bring the culprits behind bars.