Palace: Murder raps vs Ampatuan Jr ‘just the beginning’
11/29/2009 | 12:08 PM
The multiple murder charges against Datu Unsay, Maguindanao mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. are “just the beginning" of efforts to get to the bottom of last Monday’s massacre in the province.
Malacañang stressed this even as the Department of Justice (DOJ) is studying whether to file terrorism charges against Ampatuan and the other suspects in the carnage.
“This is only the beginning ... All investigation will be conducted regardless of who are involved. Depending on the evidence gathered and warranted by law, charges will be filed and those concerned will be brought to the bars of justice," Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said on government-run dzRB radio.
“This is what government is doing, in response to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s order to give justice to the victims. This is a heinous crime that has given shame to Filipinos," he added.
On the other hand, Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera said the DOJ will study a suggestion to file terrorism charges other than multiple murder against Ampatuan.
“We thank Sen. Santiago for the suggestion and we are studying it," she said.
According to Devanadera, The DOJ is also looking into claims by supposed witnesses that some of the ammunition used in the massacre was bought from the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
“I call on those who have knowledge of such information to come forward. We cannot just consider this information if there is nothing to back it up," she said.
The DOJ has already issued watch list orders against other members of the Ampatuan clan, after their names had been mentioned in statements of other witnesses.
Meanwhile, Remonde reiterated that the Palace would not entertain calls to revive death penalty in the wake of the massacre. “We should leave that to the next Congress," he said. - LBG, GMANews.TV
Malacañang stressed this even as the Department of Justice (DOJ) is studying whether to file terrorism charges against Ampatuan and the other suspects in the carnage.
“This is only the beginning ... All investigation will be conducted regardless of who are involved. Depending on the evidence gathered and warranted by law, charges will be filed and those concerned will be brought to the bars of justice," Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said on government-run dzRB radio.
“This is what government is doing, in response to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s order to give justice to the victims. This is a heinous crime that has given shame to Filipinos," he added.
On the other hand, Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera said the DOJ will study a suggestion to file terrorism charges other than multiple murder against Ampatuan.
“We thank Sen. Santiago for the suggestion and we are studying it," she said.
According to Devanadera, The DOJ is also looking into claims by supposed witnesses that some of the ammunition used in the massacre was bought from the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
“I call on those who have knowledge of such information to come forward. We cannot just consider this information if there is nothing to back it up," she said.
The DOJ has already issued watch list orders against other members of the Ampatuan clan, after their names had been mentioned in statements of other witnesses.
Meanwhile, Remonde reiterated that the Palace would not entertain calls to revive death penalty in the wake of the massacre. “We should leave that to the next Congress," he said. - LBG, GMANews.TV
