Massacre preliminary probe resumes
Ampatuans won't answer raps until all complaints are in
MANILA, Philippines – The counsel for Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan, Sr. and Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan, Jr. on Monday did not submit responses to the complaints filed against his clients saying they will wait for all the complaints before filing a consolidated counter-affidavit.
Lawyer Gregorio Narvasa said this during the resumption of the preliminary probe into the Maguindanao massacre at the Department of Justice in Manila Monday morning.
The preliminary investigation deals with the rebellion complaint filed against more than 600 respondents, including several members of the powerful Ampatuan clan.
The lawyer for 4 other Ampatuans, meantime, told Senior State Prosecutor Rosanne Balauag that they will wait for all the complaint affidavits to be filed before they file their counter-affidavit.
Atty. Villanueva represents Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan, and his brothers Maguindanao Vice Gov. Al Hadji Akmad Ampatuan, acting Maguindanao Gov. Sajid Islam, and Shariff Aguak Mayor Anwar.
“We were of the impression that we will file our counter-affidavit only after all the complaint affidavits have been submitted before the panel to which we will make a consolidated counter-affidavit,” said Villanueva.
He noted that after all affidavits have been submitted, they will ask for time to file their counter-affidavit.
Piecemeal answer
Balauag, for her part, stressed that Monday (December 28) is the last day of submission of affidavits of all respondents. “This is a non-extendable period.”
Villanueva reasoned that they have not received the annexes to the complaint affidavits since Friday. “The identities of the victims are critical to the preparation of the counter-affidavit,” he added, saying that “the death certificate would be the best evidence.”
The senior state prosecutor stated: “I think it was incumbent upon you to talk to your clients, considering the gravity of the offenses by which your clients are being charged. I think it was incumbent upon you to at least make an effort to answer the charges being filed against them by the CIDG [Criminal Investigation and Detection Group] and NBI [National Bureau of Investigation.”
Villanueva replied that they need to wait for the completion of all the complaint affidavits.
“Precisely we made our efforts but we cannot also rush everything until we see all the attachments to the complaint affidavits… We cannot make a piecemeal answer to the piecemeal complaint affidavit,” he remarked.
Balauag commented, “The irony is that [Ampatuan lead counsel] Atty. [Sigfred] Fortun invoked the constitutional provision on the speedy disposition of cases. We are bound, all of us are bound to follow that to that. It is now you who is asking for a resetting beacuse you are not ready to file your counter affidavit.”
Villanueva stressed that they will answer the complaint affidavits once they are completed.
Meanwhile, some respondents, including several policemen, submitted their counter affidavits and subscribed to them before members of the panel.
Another preliminary probe into the multiple murder complaint against almost 200 people, including the Ampatuans, will be held Monday afternoon. The November 23 massacre in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao left 57 people dead.
Tight security
Because of the preliminary investigations into the rebellion and multiple murder complaints on Monday, authorities beefed up the security at the DOJ on Monday.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) sent more than 4 trucks at the DOJ while policemen were deployed around the area.
The DOJ already indicted for alleged rebellion Andal Sr. and 23 others including Zaldy Ampatuan, Sajid Islam and Anwar before a Cotabato regional trial court.
Authorities have also tagged 5 other Ampatuans - Rajah Buayan Mayor Yacob Ampatuan, Mamasapano Mayor Banarin Ampatuan, Datu Ulo Ampatuan, Datu Ipi Ampatuan and Datu Kanor Ampatuan - as alleged leaders of the rebellion.
Police said 4 officials of various towns in the province and a provincial official also reportedly led the rebellion: Sultan sa Barongis Vice Mayor Sukarno Badal, Barira Mayor Alexander Tumawis, Datu Undin Mayor Ombra Sinsuat, Parang Mayor Abu Talib, and provincial administrator Nurie Unas.
Probers said there were 17 persons who served as “sub-leaders,” including Dainga and Manny Ampatuan, while 611 others became followers.
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legal counselling for the ampatuans
The lawyer and his associates taking the defense of the Ampatuans and literally babysitting Andal, Jr., until the NBI imposed a limit on the time allowed to be spent with their client in jail, while correct in their actions, can definitely say no to the offer and let the judge appoint one after none had accepted. Even if I can afford their prohibitive fees, I will never ever enlist their services. Better that we let them reserve their services for the devil and succeed in proclaiming to the whole world that the latter were innocents and that we the people failed to prove their guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
Why the legal counsel of the
Why the legal counsel of the Ampatuans did not submit their counter affidatit to the complaints is because they want to delay the proceedings. They are want to know first what are the complaints so that they can study their moves. The first thing they will do is to file for technicalities, and they will ask for more time. They will just delay the proceedings so that the case will be forgoten by the complainants. Ampatuans have moneys and golds, they can afford to buy the dignity and delecadesa of lawyers, judges and even justice.
If the Ampatuans can get out of this case and walk freely as a freeman, then it only proves to the world how stupid Filipinos are.
All filipinos should be a watchdog of the proceedings of the court and the justice department. In Maguindanao, everybody knows the capability of the Ampatuans to kill anyone against them or whoever blocks their way.
If the father, Andal Ampatuan Sr will be freed, then woe to those who testify against them; woe to those family members of the victims; woe to those Mangudadatus and woe to the people of maguindanao.
Andal Ampatuan Jr (Unsay Ampatuan) is just a rat compared to the father. The sons, grandsons, and other Ampatuans are nothing without the patriach Andal Ampatuan Sr, even the ARMM governor Zaldi Ampatuan.
The only option the government can do when the patriach be freed is to confiscate their money and golds. Without money, he cannot re-organized his private army, CVO's and killer squad.
The AFP, PNP, DND should re-inventory how many guns and ammunitions they sold and supplied to the Ampatuans, and how many were recovered? Untill they have the guns, they are still powerfull.
PRELIM INVESTIGATIONS
the worst scenario i fear in this case would be JUSTICE DELAYED JUSTICE DENIED. DUE PROCESS OF LAW in the philippines is very doubtful. intelligent lawyer like pigs can turn this massacer into a case of lack of evidences or technical problems...i wish not to pray that at the end the ampatuans will turn to be clean???? hahahahuhhuuhuh. nakaklungkot para kay JUAN DELA CRUZ. sana lang ang korte nating humahawak sa kaso ngayon, spell the difference. nagkaroon ako ng bagong pag asa sa ipinakita ni judge cortez, please make it good, fair and fast. the whole is watching us. kita ng marami ang pagiging pipi ni gma sa iyung ito at tapos na rin grandstanding ng mga politiko at ahensya ng gobierno tahimik na lahat...nakakatakot na nakakaiyak para sa pamilya ng mga biktima. sa mga pamilya ng namasaker manalangin tayo para sa hustisya. hindi natutulog ang DIOS!