PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte was "dismayed" by the court's decision to grant a furlough to former Autonomous Regional of Muslim Mindanao governor Zaldy Ampatuan, one of the principal accused in the 20019 Maguindanao massacre.
"Officially, the panel of the prosecutors and the President oppose that motion and we're dismayed that it was granted. That's the official stand," Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. told a press conference on Thursday, August 23.
In an order dated August 17, the Quezon City Regional Trial Court allowed Ampatuan to be temporarily released to attend the wedding of his daughter, Bai Nur Aila, at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel in Pasay City on August 21.
Ampatuan attended his daughter's wedding from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. and was brought back to his detention cell at the Quezon City Jail Annex inside Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City after the event.
Ampatuan, his father Andal Ampatuan Sr., and brother Andal Ampatuan Jr. are among the main suspects in the Maguindanao massacre on November 23, 2009 that killed 58 people, including 32 media practioners and the wife of Maguindanao Governor Esmael Mangudadatu, who at that time was scheduled to file a certificate of candidacy for the 2010 elections.
Ampatuan is facing 58 counts of murder in connection with the Maguindanao massacre.
Roque assured that the court's decision would not affect Ampatuan's case.
"I don't think there's an implication," he said. "I can assure you this will not affect the case. And I think you know why I can give that assurance." (SunStar Philippines)