Philippines convicts key clan members in 2009 ‘massacre’
MANILA, Dec 19, (AP): A Philippine court on Thursday found key members of a powerful political clan guilty of a 2009 massacre in a southern province that left 57 people dead, including 32 media workers, in a brazen execution-style attack that horrified the world.
Families of the victims and media watchdogs welcomed the convictions but said the fight for justice was far from over.
Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes sentenced eight members of the Ampatuan family led by former town Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr, who she said oversaw and led the killings, and 20 others to life imprisonment without parole. Their time in prison is limited to 40 years, the maximum punishment allowed by law. They were also ordered to compensate the victims’ families. The judge acquitted more than 50 police officers and other members of the Ampatuan family, citing a lack of evidence, while 15 people were given 6- to 10-year prison terms as accomplices.
Applause and cheers rang out in the courtroom, where some relatives of the victims heard the reading of the verdict from a 761-page decision.
“This is a partial victory,” Rep Esmael Mangudadatu, who lost his wife, sisters, an aunt and many supporters in the Nov 23, 2009, killings, told reporters outside the packed and heavily secured courtroom.
Mangudadatu raised his right fist to show he would fight on with the expected appeals of those convicted.
“This momentous verdict should help provide justice to the families of the victims, and build toward greater accountability for rights abuses in the country,” said Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director of Human Rights Watch.