Charges mulled vs Ampatuans over ‘illegal’ firearms

The Department of Justice (DOJ) may file new charges against the powerful Ampatuan clan after the rebellion charges against them were junked. “We are exploring the possibility of filing other cases such as illegal possession of firearms, but right now we are focus on these two cases which the DOJ is actively pursuing," said Justice Secretary Alberto Agra on Tuesday. Aside from the rebellion cases, the DOJ also filed multiple murder charges against several members of the clan who were implicated in the massacre of 57 people in Maguindanao province last November 23. The rebellion case was filed after several armed supporters of the family allegedly plotted to mount a rebellion to prevent authorities from arresting clan members accused of masterminding the massacre. [See: Court junks rebellion raps vs Ampatuan patriarch, others] President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo placed Maguindanao under martial law for eight days last December to contain the supposed planned uprising. This allowed the police and the military to comb through the Ampatuan properties and discover hidden high-powered artillery and ammunition. Most of firearms were unlicensed, according to police. [See: Govt forces look for more Ampatuan weaponry] The illegal possession of firearms charges were not filed earlier apparently because those were already covered by the rebellion charges. Agra said the prosecution has a better chance of winning the new case – if ever one is filed – because of stronger evidence. He said the same set of evidence used in the murder and rebellion cases could also be used in the illegal possession of firearms case. The Justice secretary also said they are just waiting for the Philippine National Police (PNP) to file a complaint in connection with illegal possession of firearms before they could conduct a preliminary investigation on the case. Agra stressed that despite their plan to file new charges, they are still determined to appeal the decision of Quezon City Judge Vivencio Baclig before the Court of Appeals dismissing the rebellion charges. He said they would file a motion for reconsideration on Wednesday. - Mark Dalan Merueñas/KBK, GMANews.TV