Clean chit for clan duo irks Filipinos
Source: Agencies |
April 20, 2010, Tuesday
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PHILIPPINE prosecutors yesterday joined a growing public protest by journalists and victims' families against the justice secretary's decision to clear two members of a powerful clan of charges they conspired in the massacre of 57 people.
Among 198 suspects in the November 23 killings are members of the Ampatuan family, who are accused of leading militiamen and police in the slaughter of their political rivals and at least 30 journalists accompanying them.
Acting Justice Secretary Alberto Agra triggered protests on Sunday by dropping the murder charges against Zaldy Ampatuan, former governor of a Muslim autonomous region, and his brother-in-law Akhmad, citing lack of evidence linking them to the carnage in southern Maguindanao Province.
"There is no evidence to prove conspiracy, and there is evidence to support their alibi," Agra said.
While charges remain against other members of the clan, Agra's decision fueled fears that all the Ampatuans may walk free because of their political alliance with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Presidential spokesman Gary Olivar called such allegations "obscene" and said the president would never interfere.
Agra overturned the recommendations of government prosecutors, who filed the murder cases against the Ampatuans.
Agra said Zaldy Ampatuan provided mobile phone bills and airline tickets showing that he was not in Maguindanao on the day of the massacre and could not have attended a November 22 meeting where it was allegedly planned. His brother-in-law presented witnesses and pictures showing he was on a medical mission when the killings occurred, Agra said.
In a rare public row with their boss, government prosecutors led by Chief State Prosecutor Claro Arellano read a statement at the Justice Department opposing Agra's move.
Arellano said that the two Ampatuans' alibis do not prove they weren't involved in planning the massacre.
The prosecutors' task, he said, is to determine probable cause for indictment, but it is up to the court to establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
As he spoke, a crowd of about 30 activists from a Muslim-Christian political alliance called for Agra's resignation. About 40 members of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines and the National Press Club wore black shirts with the message "Justice for journalists" and carried a large picture of the Ampatuans in their protest.
Among 198 suspects in the November 23 killings are members of the Ampatuan family, who are accused of leading militiamen and police in the slaughter of their political rivals and at least 30 journalists accompanying them.
Acting Justice Secretary Alberto Agra triggered protests on Sunday by dropping the murder charges against Zaldy Ampatuan, former governor of a Muslim autonomous region, and his brother-in-law Akhmad, citing lack of evidence linking them to the carnage in southern Maguindanao Province.
"There is no evidence to prove conspiracy, and there is evidence to support their alibi," Agra said.
While charges remain against other members of the clan, Agra's decision fueled fears that all the Ampatuans may walk free because of their political alliance with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Presidential spokesman Gary Olivar called such allegations "obscene" and said the president would never interfere.
Agra overturned the recommendations of government prosecutors, who filed the murder cases against the Ampatuans.
Agra said Zaldy Ampatuan provided mobile phone bills and airline tickets showing that he was not in Maguindanao on the day of the massacre and could not have attended a November 22 meeting where it was allegedly planned. His brother-in-law presented witnesses and pictures showing he was on a medical mission when the killings occurred, Agra said.
In a rare public row with their boss, government prosecutors led by Chief State Prosecutor Claro Arellano read a statement at the Justice Department opposing Agra's move.
Arellano said that the two Ampatuans' alibis do not prove they weren't involved in planning the massacre.
The prosecutors' task, he said, is to determine probable cause for indictment, but it is up to the court to establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
As he spoke, a crowd of about 30 activists from a Muslim-Christian political alliance called for Agra's resignation. About 40 members of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines and the National Press Club wore black shirts with the message "Justice for journalists" and carried a large picture of the Ampatuans in their protest.
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