Military to appeal junking of rebellion raps vs Ampatuans

The military will appeal the Quezon City court’s dismissal of the rebellion case against members of the powerful Ampatuan clan as it expressed confidence that the case would prosper. “I believe that those who provided evidence have enough evidence to convince themselves that there was really a rebellion, and the military maintains that," said Armed Forces chief Gen. Delfin Bangit. Armed Forces spokesman Lt. Col. Arnulfo Burgos said that while they respect the ruling of Quezon City Judge Vivencio Baclig’s, they would still elevate the case for appeal as part of the legal process. “Mayroon naman tayong chance for appeal diba? We will resort to that. Kung baga, ipu-pursue pa rin namin iyon [We have a chance to appeal. We will resort to that. We will still pursue the case]," he said. “We want the case to really prosper. Although whatever will be the decision, we will always follow and abide by the rules of court," he added. The rebellion charges, which were filed after the declaration of martial law in the province on December 4, 2009, led to the discovery of caches of high powered firearms believed to be owned by the Ampatuans and their supporters. The declaration of martial rule lasted for eight days and was an offshoot of the Nov. 23 massacre of 57 people in Maguindanao. The grisly mass killing was also blamed on the Ampatuan clan. The government, in justifying the imposition of martial rule, said supporters of the Ampatuans were planning to take up arms to prevent authorities from arresting the family members implicated in the massacre. In an 18-page order, Baclig of the QC Regional Trial Court Branch 77 said there is no probable cause to indict and hold under detention the individuals accused in the rebellion case. Among the respondents was former Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan Sr., the patriarch of the influential clan. In a number of hearings at the Philippine National Police headquarters at Camp Crame in Quezon City, the prosecution presented military documents, intelligence reports, and photographs showing that the powerful clan had been taking up arms, and that the local government and court in Maguindanao were not functioning. At present, Ampatuan Sr. is detained in a military camp in Davao City. - Mark Dalan Merueñas/KBK, GMANews.TV