Volunteer lawyers' team readied vs Ampatuan legal team

If the Ampatuans have tapped 40 lawyers to defend them from raps over the massacre of at least 57 people last week, an anti-crime group has started assembling a “high-powered" legal team to pursue the charges. The Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) lawyers will include those who have successfully prosecuted high-profile crime cases. “Ang VACC may kukuning volunteer lawyers at tatapatan ang mga abugado ng mga Ampatuan. Walang bayad ang mga lawyer namin. Nakapag-convict na rin sila ng mga mabibigat na kaso, kaya huwag mag-alala ang mga pamilya ng mga biktima," VACC founding chairman Dante Jimenez said in an interview on dzBB radio. (The VACC will tap volunteer lawyers to counter the Ampatuans’ 40 lawyers. Members of our legal team have successfully worked for the conviction of high-profile criminals. So, massacre victims’ families need not worry). Jimenez did not name names yet, but said VACC’s lawyers are of “high-caliber." According to a report in a major daily newspaper Monday, the Ampatuan clan tapped on Sunday at least 40 lawyers who will defend its members from possible multiple murder charges in connection with the November 23 massacre in Ampatuan town. But Buluan Vice Mayor Ismael Mangudadatu, whose wife and relatives were killed in the massacre, laughed off the prospect of 40 lawyers defending the Ampatuan clan, some members of which are being linked to the carnage. One member of the clan, Datu Unsay town Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., is already detained at the National Bureau of Investigation for the crime. “We are not afraid of them. What is important is the evidence we have is strong enough, and we are not lying. Even if they (Ampatuans) get 100 lawyers, their defense may become a disorganized concert where they do not understand each other," Mangudadatu said in an interview on dzXL radio. Mangudadatu lost his wife Genalyn in the massacre. She was on her way to file a certificate of candidacy on his behalf when she and her convoy were blocked by about 100 men reportedly allied with the Ampatuans. Government action Mangudadatu personally filed his COC for Maguindanao governor last Friday, accompanied by former defense chief and administration standard bearer Gilberto Teodoro Jr. Meanwhile, Mangudadatu said he will suspend judgment on whether he is satisfied with government’s actions in building a case against the Ampatuans. “Pag nahuli po at patawan ng sapat na parusa makikita natin kung kuntento tayo o hindi. Ang karumal-dumal na krimen ng Ampatuan ay isinagawa ng di isang suspect, marami yan, may mastermind yan (Once the perpetrators are caught and punished, that is the only time I can say I am satisfied. All I can say is that there were many people involved in the crime, not just one)," he said. Mangudadatu also voiced hopes a voice recorder carried by one of the victims will be recovered, adding that the gadget is capable of recording up to 288 hours or 12 days. “Ang recording machine na yun ay dala ng kapatid ko at may bilin ako sa kanya na bago sila umalis, na sakaling maymangyari, i-on nalang niya ito. Yan ay may 288 hours, o 12 days na tuluy-tuloy itong magre-record. Di ko alam kung yun ay na-recover sa medyas ng aking kapatid o asawa (I instructed my relative to switch on the recorder. It can record up to 288 hours, or 12 days continuous recording. I am not sure if it had been recovered)," he said. Martial law is OK Mangudadatu favors the idea of putting Maguindanao under martial rule, at least to prevent armed groups from going around the area. “So many private armies are going around terrorizing the people. Many politicians are followed not because they are loved but because they are feared," he said. He denied having a private army of his own, saying he has Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit (Cafgu) units assigned to him, but only as “protectors of civilians." - LG/RSJ, GMANews.TV