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Ampatuan daughter is first defense witness

CMFR/Philippines – Former governor Zaldy Ampatuan, accused in the Ampatuan (Maguindanao) Massacre trial, presented on 17 September 2014 his 17-year old daughter as his first witness in support of his bail petition. Zaldy’s daughter testified that her father was in Davao City on 21 and 22 November 2009, two...

Ampatuans ask for more time to find new lawyers

CMFR/Philippines – The primary accused in the Ampatuan (Maguindanao) Massacre Trial asked the Court on 14 August 2014 to extend the seven days they have been given to find new lawyers, saying they also need time to raise money for new legal representation. Speaking for his father, Andal Ampatuan...

Victims’ families support opposition to resting in ‘evidence-in-chief’, call for investigation on bribery claims

CMFR/Philippines – The families of some victims of the Ampatuan (Maguindanao) Massacre held a press conference on 6 August 2013 to express their support for the opposition to rest in “evidence-in-chief” and to call for an investigation on bribery allegations. The following day, private prosecutor Harry Roque and Justice...

FFFJ counsel: Clarifications on issues raised by Atty. Harry Roque

Below are clarifications made by Freedom Fund for Filipino Journalists legal counsel Prima Jesusa Quinsayas on issues raised by Attorney Harry Roque, her fellow private prosecutor in the Ampatuan Massacre Trial: I was informed about Atty. Harry Roque’s reaction to the matter regarding the plan of the Department of Justice...

Private prosecutors oppose resting case

State prosecutors handling the Ampatuan Massacre Trial are pushing through with their decision to rest in presenting evidence-in-chief, despite opposition from three private prosecutors who say the move is premature and could lead to a mistrial. In 28 February 2014, state prosecutors manifested in court their intention to rest...

MEDIA ADVISORY: July 31 Press Conference on the Ampatuan (Maguindanao) Massacre trial

Lawyers representing some private complainants in the trial of the alleged perpetrators of the November 23, 2009 Ampatuan (Maguindanao) Massacre will hold a press conference on 31 July 2014 (Thursday), 10 A.M. at Max’s restaurant, Scout Tuazon street, Quezon City to explain their opposition to the public prosecutors’ resting their case against some of the...

Court dismisses sixth “show cause” motion against private prosecutor

The Court hearing the cases against the alleged perpetrators of the Ampatuan Massacre dismissed on 30 June 2014 the sixth motion for a “show cause” order filed by accused Andal “Unsay” Ampatuan Jr. against private prosecutor Nena Santos.

Resting of case premature, massacre fund misused

CMFR/Philippines – The private prosecutors in the Ampatuan Massacre trial have asked Justice Secretary Leila de Lima to reconsider the state prosecutors’ move to rest their case. They also allege that the funds for the trial have been misused. In a letter to the Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary...

Ampatuan lawyer withdraws, suspect arraigned

CMFR/Philippines – One of the lawyers of one of the primary accused persons in the Ampatuan Massacre has withdrawn as his counsel. Lawyer Sigfried Fortun filed a manifestation on 29 May 2014 withdrawing as counsel for Zaldy Ampatuan, who was governor of Maguindanao province at the time of the...

Court accepts evidence against accused petitioners in Ampatuan Massacre

CMFR/Philippines – The court hearing the Ampatuan Massacre trial admitted last 8 May 2014 most of the prosecution’s evidence against the bail petitions of a dozen accused persons including primary accused former Maguindanao provincial governor Andal Ampatuan Sr. On 23 November 2009, 58 people, 32 of whom were journalists...