FAMILIES of the Maguindanao massacre victims are confident that the courts will reject any appeal that the Ampatuans planned to file and justice will be thoroughly served.
The date, December 19, 2019, is historic for the Philippines as the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221 finally handed down a verdict for the Maguindanao massacre case where 58 people were killed.
Eight suspects with the surname of Ampatuan were declared guilty beyond reasonable doubt and sentenced to reclusion perpetua without bail or parole.
Their lawyers told the court of their decision to file a motion for reconsideration within 15 days.
Despite this, Noemi Parcon, widow of Joel Parcon who was among the 32 media workers killed, is very happy with the decision of the court.
She said she understands that the lawyers will appeal the decision but is confident that the prosecution will still win the case.
“Madaog lang gihapon mi. Bisan pa og mag-file sila’g motion for reconsideration sa higher court. (We will still win even if they file for motion for reconsideration to the higher court). Siguro it would take one year din or two years. But we are willing to wait for that time. Pero positive kami 101 percent na mananalo kami doon (We are 101 percent positive that we are going to win this),” Parcon told Sunstar Davao in a phone interview.
The court awarded the heirs of Parcon P350,000 in damages and P4 million for loss of earning capacity.
Monet Salaysay, widow of Napoleon Salaysay of Clear View Gazette, shared the optimism.
Salaysay, who attended the promulgation of judgment at the Quezon City Regional Trial Court inside Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City, said she was grateful to God for the court’s decision.
“Salamat sa Diyos, nakuha namin ang matagal na minimithing hustisya. Convicted na ang mga prime suspects. Thank God Lord Jesus Christ. Napakalaking pamasko ang aming natanggap galing sa Kanya. (Thank you, God for we got the justice we had all been waiting for a long time. The primary suspects are now convicted. It is a very great Christmas gift from Him.) We are all happy,” shared Salaysay.
When asked how she feels about the party of Ampatuan planning to file for motion for reconsideration, she said the sets of evidence against them are strong and she believed there is no way they will be set free.
The heirs of Salaysay will get P350,000 in damages and P2.25 million for loss of earning capacity.
Fifteen others, including 14 policemen, were convicted as accessories to the crime and were sentenced to six to 10 years in prison.
On the other hand, 56 people, including 27 police officers, were acquitted and ordered released from detention by the court.
Together with the other families of the victims of the Maguindanao massacre, Salaysay said she will celebrate Christmas with a more peaceful heart believing that there will be justice for her husband and the other victims.