The evidence from the “Maguindanao Massacre” are being guarded by the Philippine police in Mindanao. Justice Secretary Alberto Agra reversed his earlier ruling absolving two members of a powerful political clan accused of murdering at least 57 people in Maguindanao province last year. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)MANILA, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / May 5, 2010) – Philippine Justice Secretary Alberto Agra reversed his earlier ruling absolving two members of a powerful political clan accused of murdering at least 57 people in Maguindanao province last year.
Agra said there is a probable cause to pursue criminal chargers against Zaldy Ampatuan, the governor of the Muslim autonomous region in Mindanao; and Akmad Ampatuan, whom he both cleared of all charges last month.
His decision to absolve the two men drew strong criticism and condemnation from different media groups and human rights advocates.
Agra said his decision to pursue the cases against the Ampatuans was based on testimonies of new witnesses who surfaced last week.
In his earlier ruling, Agra said there was no evidence to link the two men to the murders after the suspended governor insisted he was in Manila with President Gloria Arroyo when the massacre occurred.
The two are among over a hundred people, including the clan’s patriarch Andal Ampatuan Sr, accused in the massacre in Maguindanao. The Ampatuans are strong political allies of Arroyo, who was also accused of poll fraud and cheating in past elections.
The Department of Justice earlier junked rebellion charges in connection with the Maguindanao massacre against the Ampatuans, whose prime suspect is Andal Ampatuan Jr.
He is accused of leading the killings of 57 people, including at least 32 journalists, who accompanied a political caravan of a rival clan, the Mangudadatus.
The caravan was traveling when it was stopped by gunmen in Shariff Aguak town and killed and buried its passengers in two mass graves in nearby town of Ampatuan. Among those killed were the wife and sister of Esmael Mangudadatu who is running for governor in the May 10 general elections.
Andal Jr denied all the charges against them and blamed Moro rebels for the massacre, an allegation strongly rejected by authorities. (Mindanao Examiner)
Agra said there is a probable cause to pursue criminal chargers against Zaldy Ampatuan, the governor of the Muslim autonomous region in Mindanao; and Akmad Ampatuan, whom he both cleared of all charges last month.
His decision to absolve the two men drew strong criticism and condemnation from different media groups and human rights advocates.
Agra said his decision to pursue the cases against the Ampatuans was based on testimonies of new witnesses who surfaced last week.
In his earlier ruling, Agra said there was no evidence to link the two men to the murders after the suspended governor insisted he was in Manila with President Gloria Arroyo when the massacre occurred.
The two are among over a hundred people, including the clan’s patriarch Andal Ampatuan Sr, accused in the massacre in Maguindanao. The Ampatuans are strong political allies of Arroyo, who was also accused of poll fraud and cheating in past elections.
The Department of Justice earlier junked rebellion charges in connection with the Maguindanao massacre against the Ampatuans, whose prime suspect is Andal Ampatuan Jr.
He is accused of leading the killings of 57 people, including at least 32 journalists, who accompanied a political caravan of a rival clan, the Mangudadatus.
The caravan was traveling when it was stopped by gunmen in Shariff Aguak town and killed and buried its passengers in two mass graves in nearby town of Ampatuan. Among those killed were the wife and sister of Esmael Mangudadatu who is running for governor in the May 10 general elections.
Andal Jr denied all the charges against them and blamed Moro rebels for the massacre, an allegation strongly rejected by authorities. (Mindanao Examiner)
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