DOJ orders prosecutors to drop murder raps vs 2 Ampatuans
Agra: No proof of conspiracy
MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) - The Philippine government said Saturday it would drop murder charges against two prominent members of a powerful Muslim clan over the massacre of 57 people last year.
Zaldy and Akmad Ampatuan, initially alleged to be two of the key planners of the election-linked killings in the restive south, will be dropped from the list of those accused, Justice Secretary Alberto Agra said.
"I just issued the resolution. I have already instructed the prosecutors to amend the charges to drop them against Zaldy and Akmad," Agra told AFP, although he said lawyers opposed to his decision could appeal in court.
The decision provoked outrage among the relatives' victims, who have repeatedly voiced concern that President Gloria Arroyo secretly intended to protect the Ampatuans because they were long-time political allies.
"This is evidence that the victims cannot get justice under the administration of President Arroyo," said human rights lawyer Harry Roque, who is representing some of the victims' families.
The prosecution in February charged that Zaldy, Akmad and other members of the Ampatuan clan conspired to murder a convoy of political rivals and journalists in Maguindanao province on November 23.
The murder, which shocked the world, was allegedly intended to prevent a rival from running against clan member Andal Ampatuan Jnr for the post of provincial governor in the May 10 national elections.
However Agra said that, after reviewing evidence, the initial decision to charge Zaldy and Akmad was flawed.
Who is Alberto Agra? |
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MANILA, Philippines – The spotlight is on Alberto Agra, the acting justice secretary who made a controversial move on the murder case involving the massacre of 57 people in Maguindanao province. Who is he? READ MORE |
"There was no proof of conspiracy and there was a proof of an alibi," he said.
Agra cited airline tickets and cellphone records showing Zaldy and Akmad Ampatuan were not in Maguindanao during the massacre as reasons for dropping the charges.
"There is no proof or any document that shows they were part of the planning. They (the prosecution) only had one witness against Zaldy and Akmad."
The Ampatuans are a powerful Muslim political clan that has long dominated politics in Maguindanao.
They were members of Arroyo's ruling coalition and delivered her crucial votes in the 2004 presidential election, but were expelled after the massacre.
Arroyo allowed them to run their own private army as part of a containment strategy against Muslim rebels in the south.
Zaldy Ampatuan had been governor of a Muslim autonomous region in the southern Philippines that encompasses Maguindanao at the time of the massacre. Akmad was the acting vice-governor of Maguindanao.
The patriarch of the clan and the then-governor of Maguindanao, Andal Ampatuan Snr, as well as his son and namesake, remain charged with murder.
Myra Reblando, widow of one of the murdered journalists, said she was not surprised by the decision to drop the charges.
"This is an indication there is no justice under Gloria Arroyo. She will protect the Ampatuans because she owes them," she said.
But Agra insisted he was only acting in accordance with the law.
"They are entitled to their opinion. I am just doing my job... my resolution is based only on the evidence before me, nothing else," he said.
It was not clear when Zaldy and Akmad Ampatuan would be released from jail.
They, and the other Ampatuan members, were also charged with rebellion for allegedly trying to resist government efforts to bring the killers to justice.
A court last month dismissed those rebellion charges. But Agra said the government was seeking a motion of reconsideration with the same court.
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NO PROBALE CAUSE BUT PROBABLE COST THERE IS
DOJ Acting Secretary Alberto Agra said that he could not find a PROBABLE CAUSE, but found a PROBABLE COST, therefore, he issued a resolution to drop the case against the 2 Ampatuans, Zaldy and Akmad
Hey man, what happened to our justice system in our beloved Philippines under the regime of Gloria Macapal Arrroyo?
Yes, we badly need a change and we can, but only with NOY-MAR TANDEM. Vote straight Liberal Party candidates to ensure a smooth sailing of the change that we badly need.
Sexretary of INJUSTICE
Sexretary of INJUSTICE alberto VIagra,pera-pera lang yan,pero weather-weather din yan,balang araw yang pamilya mo naman ang gagantihan ng mga victims ng maguindanao massacre.Hayop talaga itong si pandak,siguro handa ng magsalita ang mga ampatuan sa mga corruption at pandaraya sa eleksyon kaya kailangan ng pakawalan ang mga hayop na berdugo.At saka malapit na ang eleksyon kaya kailangan ng leaders na manghohokus-pokus sa mga balota,para manalo ang mga manok ni pandak.Sana pagmultuhan ng mga namatay sa magindanao massacre si pandak at VIagra para mamatay sa takot.Secretary of INJUSTICE alberto VIagra you don't need to be in the scene of the crime to commit a heinous crime.If you participated in the planning of a crime you are a part of a conspiracy to murder.One person can't do this colossal task of murdering 56 innocent person,i'm sure it involves enormous man power including the police,military,and cvo.
Partners in crime
Agra used to work for the Ampatuans as election lawyer in Maguindanao, the cheating capital of the Philippines.
Obviously, this is a gift from GMA (Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo). It’s a thank you to the Ampatuans for letting her cheat in 2004 when she stole the presidency from FPJ (Fernando Poe Jr.) and when she cheated in 2007.
There are enough laws to hold public officials, like Agra, accountable, if proven that he has been remiss with the performance of his duty.
Agra can be held liable for dereliction of duty when he dropped the murder charges against the two prominent members of the Ampatuan clan implicated in the killings of 57 people in November 2009. Specifically, prime suspects—suspended Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Governor Zaldy “Puti” Ampatuan and his cousin Mayor Akmad “Tato” Ampatuan Sr. of Mamasapano, who had been excluded from the murder charges.
How can Agra, a graduate of UP and Ateneo and a law professor fail to know the Supreme Court jurisprudence that clearly states that the only function of the prosecutor is to determine whether there is sufficient ground to engender a well-founded belief that a crime has been committed but the application of the standards of evidence and of proof are only required during the trial.
The weighing of evidence, the complete submission of proof has to happen during the trial procedure not during the investigation process.
There’s a dereliction of duty involved here by not giving due regard to the decided Supreme Court decision on how to differentiate the role of the prosecuting arm and the trial courts.
By allowing the primary suspects to go scot-free is a denial of due process, and denial of justice to the victims.
Agra can also be held accountable as a public official through the Anti-graft and Corrupt Practices Act5 and for unethical behavior.
He should be disbarred and be thrown to jail together with the Ampatuans.
Number 1 Supporter ni VILLAR!
GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO at ANDAL AMPATUAN, JR.! CHECK! CHECK! CHECK!
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SA PARAISO NI VILLAR, MARAMI NA SILA!
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Naranasan mo na bang PUMATAY ng MAHIHIRAP?
Upang MAAGAW ang MUNTING dampa na bunga ng kanilang SIKAP?
Si Manny VILLAR! ARMALITE at DAHAS ang pangtapos sa MAHIHIRAP!
(Subaybayan ang kwentong buhay ng mga taong biktima ng LAND GRABBING ni VILLAR sa Paradise Park, San Pedro Laguna, sa Norzagaray, Bulacan, sa IloIlo, sa Las Pinas,. . . WOW! Malapit nang BUONG PILIPINAS!)
MANNY VILLAR!!! HINDI LAMANG C5 AT TAGA! ! !
ALAM AT GINAGAWA LAHAT NG KLASE NG PANGWAWALANGHIYA!!!
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Ang Mga Senador ni Villar, Tunay na OPO-POPOSISYON !
GILBERT REMULLA, ADEL TAMANO, PIA CAYETANO, TOOTS OPLE , RAMON MITRA, GWEN PIMENTEL, SATUR OCAMPO, LIZA MAZA, BONGBONG MARCOS, ARIEL QUERUBIN, MIRRIAM DEFENSOR SANTIAGO, BONG REVILLA
OPO, Gusto naming maging BILYONARYO, tulad ni VILLAROYO!
OPO, PARARAMIHIN namin ang MAHIHIRAP para marami ang MANGARAP!
OPO, MagpapaTUTA kami kay MANNY, para EVERYBODY HAPPY!
OPO! OPO! OPO! OPO! OPO!OPO! OPO! OPO! OPO! OPO! OPO!OPO!
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HUWAG KALIMUTAN ! ! !
Si Manny Villar ay
TUNAY NA SINUNGALING ! ! !
TUNAY NA MANGGAGANTSO ! ! !
TUNAY NA MANLOLOKO ! ! !
MAGNANAKAW PA ! ! !
GOD FORBID
I SAW MR. AGRA ON TV AND HE LOOKS LIKE BETWEEN ZALDY AMPATUAN AND FURTON. ACCORDING TO THE REPORT, HE IS THE LAWYER WHO REPRESENTED GLORIA ARROYO'S ON HER IMPEACHMENT TRIAL. HE IS THE CLOSE TUTA OF THE DEVIL GOYANG. OH, MY LORD, I DO NOT KNOW MY GOD, WHY HARAP HARAPAN KUNG GUMAGAWA NG KA TARANTADOHAN ITONG SI GLORIA ARROYO. THE REPORT SAID, THAT ZALDY IS READY TO EXPOSED GOYANG FOR WHAT TRULY HAPPENED DURING THE LAST ELECTION. ZALDY IS READY TO TALK AND READY TO PRESENT THE POOP PLATTER OF GOYANG THE SALBAHE IN PUBLIC....SO THAT'S WHY GLORIA ARROYO HAS TO DO SOMETHING TO GET ZALDY OFF THE HOOK.
GLORIA GLORIA GLORIA. I HOPE GOD WILL SEND HIS PLAGUE ON YOU SO SOON. I HOPE YOU WILL SUFFER SOMETHING THAT YOU WILL REMEMBER UNTIL YOUR LAST BREATH. I HOPE THE BLOOD OF THOSE INNOCENT VICTIMS ON NOVEMBER 23RD MASSACRE WILL HUNT YOUR CONSCIENCE AND WILL NOT LET YOU SLEEP AT NIGHT. I HOPE YOUR SOUL WILL BURN IN HELL!!!!!!!!!!! BECAUSE YOU SO DESERVE IT...
PANFILO WAS OUT OF THE COUNTRY
PANFILO LACSON WAS OUT OF THE COUNTRY AND WASN'T IN THE CRIME SCENE EITHER BUT WHY IS HE A FUGITIVE NOW? SO THE SAME SHOULD GO TO THE AMPATUAN THEY SHOULD FACE THE COURT AND ANSWER THIS QUESTION.
THE FUNNY PART IS, THESE PEOPLE JUST ARRIVED IN MANILA FROM GENERAL SANTOS FRIDAY NIGHT? IT'S ONLY MONDAY TODAY. THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ARRAIGN YET AND HAVE NOT BEEN IN COURT YET... AND HERE COMES MR. AGRA ON FRIDAY NIGHT HE DROPPED THIS BOMBSHELL.. IT'S OBVIOUS THAT GLORIA ARROYO PROBABLY INSTRUCTED HIM TO DO SO BECAUSE NOW THAT THEY ARE HERE, THEY ARE READY TO TALK...SO TIME TO LET GO AND GET RID OF THE SOLID EVIDENCE...
WHAT A BS!
Secretary of INJUSTICE
Secretary of INJUSTICE alberto VIagra,pera-pera lang yan,pero weather-weather din yan,balang araw yang pamilya mo naman ang gagantihan ng mga victims ng maguindanao massacre.Hayop talaga itong si pandak,siguro handa ng magsalita ang mga ampatuan sa mga corruption at pandaraya sa eleksyon kaya kailangan ng pakawalan ang mga hayop na berdugo.At saka malapit na ang eleksyon kaya kailangan ng leaders na manghohokus-pokus sa mga balota,para manalo ang mga manok ni pandak.Sana pagmultuhan ng mga namatay sa magindanao massacre si pandak at VIagra para mamatay sa takot.Secretary of INJUSTICE alberto VIagra you don't need to be in the scene of the crime to commit a heinous crime.If you participated in the planning of a crime you are a part of a conspiracy to murder.One person can't do this colossal task of murdering 56 innocent person,i'm sure it involves enormous man power including the military,police and cvo.
PANFILO LACSON WASN'T IN THE
PANFILO LACSON WASN'T IN THE CRIME SCENE EITHER BUT WHY IS HE A FUGITIVE NOW? SO THE SAME SHOULD GO TO THE AMPATUAN THEY SHOULD FACE THE COURT AND ANSWER THIS QUESTION.
THE FUNNY PART IS, THESE PEOPLE JUST ARRIVED IN MANILA FROM GENERAL SANTOS FRIDAY NIGHT? IT'S ONLY MONDAY TODAY. THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ARRAIGN YET AND HAVE NOT BEEN IN COURT YET... AND HERE COMES MR. AGRA ON FRIDAY NIGHT HE DROPPED THIS BOMBSHELL.. IT'S OBVIOUS THAT GLORIA ARROYO PROBABLY INSTRUCTED HIM TO DO SO BECAUSE NOW THAT THEY ARE HERE, THEY ARE READY TO TALK...SO TIME TO LET GO AND GET RID OF THE SOLID EVIDENCE...
WHAT A BS!
puppet
MR. Agra stated: he is 'Not duty bound to inform prosecutors' - SAY'S WHO? GLORIA ARROYO??
YES, YOU ARE MR. AGRA...YOU MIGHT THINK WE ARE STUPID BUT WE ARE NOT.. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH... FOR YOU ALL WHO ARE CORRUPTS.. AND THINK YOU CAN SCORE FROM US BY MAKING US BELIEVE THAT WE DO NOT KNOW ABOUT THE LAW AND MANIPULATION THAT YOU HAVE BEEN DOING ALL ALONG.
MR. VI-AGRA YOU FORGOT: THAT YOU ARE A PUBLIC SERVANT? DID YOU NOT? YOU ARE OBLIGATED TO INFORM THE PROSECUTORS AND NOT JUST THE DEFENSE PANEL/LAWYERS OF THE RESOLUTION BEFORE YOU SIGN IT.
REMEMBER: AS A PUBLIC SERVANT - YOUR WORK FOR US.
WE PAY YOUR SALARY OUT OF OUR TAXES AND EVEN WE PAY THE PRESIDENT'S SALARY AND ALL THOSE POLITICIANS IN OFFICE.. I PAID YOU LOTS OF MONEY FROM MY TAXES EVERY YEAR.....YOUR FAMILY WAS ABLE TO EAT AND ENJOY A COMFORTABLE GOOD LIFE BECAUSE OF ME AND ALL FILIPINOS WHO PAID THEIR TAXES.IF WE DON'T PAY YOU AND YOUR FAMILY WILL STARVE TO DEATH.
SO I DEMAND THAT YOU DO YOUR JOB WELL...IDIOT.
THE OUTCRY OF THE MASSES WERE HIGHER THAN DURING THE TIME WHEN THE AMPATUAN'S REBELLION CHARGES WAS DROPPED.
SAYS WHO?
MR. Agra says: 'Not duty bound to inform prosecutors' - SAY'S WHO? GLORIA ARROYO??