Government prosecutors on Monday challenged the decision of acting Justice Secretary Alberto Agra to clear two Ampatuan clan members in the massacre of 57 people in Maguindanao last year, saying it dishonors the institution’s mandate to dispense justice.
Chief State Prosecutor Claro Arellano led the protest over Agra’s order exonerating detained Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan and cousin Akmad Ampatuan Sr., mayor of Mamasapano town in Maguindanao.
"We are deeply concerned that the resolution will all the more convince a long skeptical public that our criminal justice system is impotent when the accused are politically influential," he said in a statement read before Justice reporters in Manila.
Arellano said it pained them to publicly disagree with their superior’s order, but noted that while the Justice chief has the final say on cases filed at the department, they on the front line believed there is probable cause to indict Zaldy and Akmad
Arroyo not behind junking of raps vs 2 Ampatuans — Palace
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had nothing to do with the dropping of multiple murder charges against two members of the powerful Ampatuan clan implicated in last year’s massacre of more than 50 people in Maguindanao province, Malacañang said on Sunday.
Deputy presidential spokesman Gary Olivar said it is unfair to even insinuate that President Arroyo would interfere in the legal proceedings even if the accused family had once been her strong allies who helped ensure her victory in the 2004 elections.
“However we may feel about this decision by the Department of Justice, let us confine any debate to questions of law and fact, and let us reject baseless and inflammatory speculations," he said.
On Friday, the DOJ under acting Justice secretary Alberto Agra ordered the removal of Zaldy and Akmad Ampatuan from the charge list, saying there was no strong evidence to prove that the two had conspired with other family members in plotting the gruesome massacre.
Fifty-seven people, including members of the rival Mangudadatu clan and some 30 accompanying journalists, were gunned down in Ampatuan town last November 23 in what was considered as one of the most heinous cases of political violence in the country.
world news today
10 injured in 2 bombs near Bangalore stadium
04/18/2010 | 11:07 AM
NEW DELHI — Two small bombs exploded outside a Bangalore cricket stadium as an estimated 35,000 fans were heading to an Indian Premier League match on Saturday, injuring 10 people
Initial investigations show the explosives used in the blasts were locally made and of low intensity, M.R. Poojar, the city’s deputy police commissioner told The Associated Press.
Bangalore lost to Tendulkar’s Mumbai squad by 57 runs in its last regular season match ahead of the semifinals.
Bangalore captain Anil Kumble, a former Indian captain, said none of his players wanted to forfeit the match following the explosion.
"We heard a noise. We were told to be careful. The security guys told us that they will check and let us know about the situation. No player opted to step out of the game and all were ready to play," Kumble was quoted as saying by Press Trust of India.
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Ginebra's Rudy Hatfield, center, finds himself trapped against the defense of San Miguel's Dennis Miranda, Gabe Freeman and Danny Ildefonso during their PBA Fiesta Cup game at the Big Dome Sunday night. GMANews.TV
Foreign bets out to blank RP riders of stage honors
04/19/2010 | 10:09 PM
Foreign riders are poised to shutout Filipino cyclists of stage honors in Le Tour de Filipinas 2010 after James Ball of South Africa's Team DCM topped the Quezon City to Subic section of the race. Ireland's David McCann ruled the opening stage while Pieter Seyffert, also of Team DCM, copped Day 2 honors.
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