Security tight at Camp Crame for massacre hearing

Security remained tight at the Philippine National Police headquarters in Camp Crame Wednesday morning for the resumption of the multiple murder trial of Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. in connection with the November 23 Maguindanao massacre. A report on dzXL radio said this was despite the absence of Buluan Vice Mayor Esmael Mangudadatu, whose wife was among the 57 victims of the bloodbath. Mangudadatu's lawyer Nena Santos said her client was attending to matters in Davao City, adding his presence was not required for the day's hearing. On the other hand, the report said there was no sign of Andal Jr., prime suspect in the mass slaughter in Ampatuan town. Security remains tight also at the National Bureau of Investigation headquarters in Manila, where Andal Jr. is detained. The dzXL report said people transacting business inside Camp Crame underwent security measures including inspection. As in the past, media representatives covering the trial were again subjected to the strict three-layer security measures before entering the courtroom. Third month anniversary A distribution of memorial ribbons at Mendiola near Malacañang in Manila and a tribute-concert in General Santos City in Mindanao highlighted the third month anniversary of the grisly Maguindanao massacre. In Manila, radio dzBB reported that the College Editors Guild of the Philippines distributed the ribbons at Mendiola Tuesday, with the ribbons asking the public not to forget the massacre. Members of Task Force Detainees of the Philippines went to the NBI headquarters in Manila to call for justice for the massacre's victims. In Mindanao, meanwhile, groups held a tribute concert while a Hong Kong group launched an online campaign for justice for the victims. The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) said local journalists hosted a tribute concert Monday night in General Santos City's Oval Plaza covered court. "A group of local publishers, the Publishers Association of General Santos City and South Cotabato (PAGES) in General Santos City, hosted a tribute concert (Monday night) for the victims of the Maguindanao massacre, particularly the 32 journalists who had been killed in performing their duty," AHRC said on its website. Dubbed "Songs for Freedom and Justice," the concert aims to drum up public awareness in commemorating the third month anniversary of the November 23 Maguindanao massacre. Online campaign The AHRC also launched an online campaign on the Maguindanao massacre case, aimed at documenting and monitoring the progress of the prosecution of the case in court. The online campaign, titled: "Justice for victims of Maguindanao Massacre," was launched after the Department of Justice (DOJ) prosecuted 197 for multiple murder. "Seeking legal remedies in the Philippine's system of justice had been perpetually undermined by way of political interference, excessive court delays and failure by the prosecutors and investigators to ensure that the cases they are pursuing are effectively prosecuted," the AHRC said. "(The online campaign) seeks to document, to conduct follow-up and to provide insights as to how the prosecution of cases involving violations of rights takes place within the Philippines' criminal justice system," it added. - RSJ, GMANews.TV