DOJ eyeing to put up fund for relatives of Maguindanao massacre victims

The Philippines’ justice department intends to put up funds for relatives of victims of the Maguindanao massacre to prevent them from entering into out of court settlements with the defendants. Funds may be sourced from various public and private institutions including the Department of Justice (DOJ), Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera said on Wednesday. Offers of assistance to put together a financial package for the victims’ families have also been extended by the private sector, she added although she refused to elaborate. Her office is also verifying reports that some relatives of massacre victims have already entered settlements with the Ampatuan clan in exchange for dropping murder charges. “That’s why I’m proposing the setting aside of funds for massacre victims…I also received texts from some family members and they assured me na hindi sila magpapabayad [that they will not settle cases out of court]," she told reporters. For his part, Atty. Harry Roque, a lawyer of one of the victims, said that he received offers to drop the case against the Ampatuans. In the meantime, even if one or two complainants have dropped charges against the Ampatuans, it would little or no bearing on the case since it was a crime against the Republic, Devanadera said. “It’s just one count; there are 57 people who died in the massacre. If they (Ampatuans) tried to pay the victims, they would just be settling their civil liability, but they cannot escape the criminal aspect of the case. The mere fact that they committed bribery, they are already liable," she said. On Wednesday morning, Devanadera attended the hearing of the murder case at Camp Crame to show her support for the victims’ families. The powerful clan, led by its patriarch, former Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan Sr. and son, Datu Unsay mayor Andal Jr., were charged for the murder of 57 individuals who were later buried in Ampatuan town in Maguindanao. Among the victims included members of its rival Mangudadatu clan, led by Bai Genalyn Mangudadatu, wife of Esmael Mangudadatu, who was planning to run for governor of the province against Ampatuan Sr. They were accompanied by supporters and lawyers and some 30 journalists who were invited to witness the filing of Mangudadatu’s certificate of candidacy at the local poll office in town. About 197 people were similarly charged with murder, including Ampatuan’s other sons, ARMM Gov. Zaldy, Maguindanao Gov. Sajid Islam, Anwar, and Akmad. The Quezon City regional trial court is hearing the multiple murder cases. On top of the murder charges, they were also slapped with rebellion charges after they reportedly took up arms against the government following the arrest of Andal Jr. - RJAB Jr., GMANews.TV