The Supreme Court has denied the plea of former Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao Gov. Zaldy U. Ampatuan to post bail in the murder charges filed against him in connection with the 2009 Maguindanao massacre where 58 persons died, most of them journalists.
In a resolution, the SC affirmed the rulings of the Court of Appeals and the Quezon City Regional Trial Court which both found that the evidence of guilt presented by the prosecution against Ampatuan is strong to warrant the denial of bail.
While the SC resolution was dated July 22, 2019, a copy was made public only yesterday.
Fifty-eight persons died in the Maguindanao massacre in Barangal Salman, Ampatuan, Maguindanao on Nov. 23, 2009.
Those killed were part of a convoy that was to accompany the registration of then Buluan, Maguindanao Vice Mayor Esmael Mangudadatu for the 2010 gubernatorial election.
Department of Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra had earlier expressed confidence that the Quezon City RTC Branch 221 will issue within the year its verdict over those charged in the Maguindanao massacre.
“The DoJ expects that a judgment will be rendered before the 10th anniversary of the infamous massacre on 23 Nov. 2019, and that justice will finally be served,” Guevarra said.
The trial of the multiple murder cases before QCRTC Branch 221 Judge Jocelyn Solis Reyes concluded last July 17. (Rey Panaligan)