UPDATED) Brothers Andal Jr. "Datu Unsay", Zaldy and Anwar Ampatuan Sr. as well as five other members of the powerful Ampatuan clan were found guilty of 57 counts of murder in relation to the 2009 Maguindanao massacre and sentenced to reclusion perpetua without parole.
Twenty others were also convicted and meted the same sentence of up to 40 years in prison, with no parole. All 28 were also ordered to pay damages of P155.594 million jointly and severally to the heirs of the victims.
Fifteen others, including 14 policemen, were convicted as accessories and sentenced to a minimum of six years of prision correccional to a maximum of 10 years and eight months of prision mayor.
Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221 Judge Jocelyn Solis Reyes handed down Thursday, December 19, 2019, a 761-page consolidated partial decision on the case, about 10 years after the massacre that has been described as the “deadliest” attack against the press.
After hearing their names, those convicted could not hide their disappointment.
On the other hand, 56 people rejoiced and hugged each other when they were acquitted.
Among those acquitted are four members of the Ampatuan clan and 27 police officers. The court ordered their immediate release from detention.
The four Ampatuan family members who were ordered released are Akmad, Sajid Islam, Jonathan and Jimmy. Sajid Islam, whom witnesses said did not participate in plotting the carnage, currently serves as mayor of Shariff Saydona Mustapha in Maguindanao.
Ruling
Only the dispositive portion of the 761-page ruling was read in court at about 11:30 a.m. Thursday, after a delay of more than two hours.
Lawyers representing the Ampatuan brothers separately said they will file an appeal within 15 days.
Aside from the three brothers, five other individuals with surname Ampatuan were also found guilty and sentenced to reclusion perpetua. They are Datu Anwar Sajid "Datu Ulo" Ampatuan, Datu Anwar "Datu Ipi" Ampatuan Jr., Manny Ampatuan, Mohades Ampatuan and Misuari Ampatuan.
Others convicted and meted the same sentence of reclusion perpetua are: