Closure late by 10 years

Exactly 10 years after the Maguindanao massacre, Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu expressed hopes that there will be no more delays in the dispensation of justice on the multiple murder cases filed against over a

hundred suspects tagged in the 2009 Maguindanao massacre.

Interviewed by Daily Tribune, Mangudadatu, Maguindanao 2nd District representative, said he expects the decision, which was supposed to come out this November but was deferred after Quezon City Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes asked for a 30-day extension, will finally be released next month.

Mangudadatu expressed trust in the judiciary as he indicated understanding that the judge, who has been handling the case for 10 years, needed more time because of the voluminous documents she’s dealing with.

The attack resulted in the death of 58 people, including 32 journalists and media workers, the single worst peacetime incident involving the killing of newsmen.

“You know, the 30 days given by the court is a non-extendible period so that would be the last,” he told Daily Tribune.

Mangudadatu expressed dismay over the defense’s ploy in making up stories to delay the outcome of the case, but he indicated they will not succeed.

“We believe that they are not going to succeed in their machinations because we trust that our courts and the Department of Justice, with President Rodrigo Duterte at the helm of government, will not allow any mockery of our justice system and for evil to triumph over good,” he added.

He said they have credible witnesses and strong evidence against the accused.

“I pray that all the suspects will be convicted,” he said.

Today, Mangudadatu, with the other relatives of the victims of the massacre will gather to pray and commemorate the gruesome killing a decade ago at exactly where the massacre took place, in a remote sitio in Barangay Salman, Ampatuan.

On 23 November in 2009, the convoy of Mangudadatu’s wife Genalyn Tiamzon, accompanied by members of media and female lawyers, was flagged down by hundreds of armed men allegedly led by former Datu Unsay, Maguindanao Mayor Andal “Unsay” Ampatuan Jr. and Police Chief Inspector Sukarno Dicay.

While they were on their way to file a certificate of candidacy for then Buluan town vice mayor Mangudadatu for the gubernatorial race against Ampatuan, the suspects forcibly brought them into a slope of rolling hills.

In broad daylight, Mangudadatu’s wife, along with his siblings, close relatives and associates were killed and buried using an excavator. A total of 32 media men and six other civilian casualties who were mistaken as part of their convoy also died. Mangudadatu said his life has changed since the incident.

Countless times, his enemies had attempted to kill him and kidnap his children.

“They attempted to kidnap my children countless times. That is why I keep telling their schools to not disclose their relationship to me,” he said.

“Because if they would know that they are my children, they could get kidnapped,” he added.

The event has brought too much problem, he said, and depression. “Thoughts like that do not leave my head day and night. I suffered from too much depression,” he mused.

“I pray that justice would be served so that we will have peace of mind,” Mangudadatu added.

He has this to say to the President. “To mayor Digong, the President of the Republic, I know you make prudent decisions.”

“I know he will side with the victims,” said the lawmaker.

Last 8 November, the Supreme Court granted the request of the judge handling the Maguindanao massacre case for more time to come up with a decision.

Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta said the court considered the huge volume of evidence and parties in the case in allowing a 30-day extension to Judge Solis-Reyes.

“Motions for extension are the exception rather than the rule and we understand the judge’s plight and I hope that she will no longer ask for another extension so that before the end of the year those cases will finally be decided,” Peralta said.

Under the Constitution, all trial courts should promulgate their decision within the 90-day period after the case has been submitted for decision.

The case has been submitted for decision on 22 August, which means the deadline for its promulgation should have been on 20 November. With the extension, the Quezon City court now has until 20 December to decide the case.

“I am frustrated of what happened to the victims, but I think Judge Reyes did her best in order to give justice to the victims and also in order to afford the accused the required due process of law under the Constitution,” Peralta added.