De Lima assures justice in Maguindanao massacre case

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima has assured relatives of the Maguindanao massacre victims that justice would be served to them. De Lima, former chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights, personally gave the assurance Saturday during a visit to General Santos City and Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat. She also visited incumbent Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu, whose wife, sisters, and other relatives were among the 57 people killed in the November 23 massacre. Thirty-two of the victims were journalists. "This is the first time that I'll be doing it, so I want to hear from them what exactly are their concerns [and to] give them the assurance and the firm commitment of the institution that justice will be delivered," De Lima was quoted as saying in a report in QTV’s “Balitanghali" Sunday.

Among those facing charges for the grisly carnage are members of the powerful Ampatuan clan, including its patriarch Andal Sr., a former Maguindanao governor. There are a total of 196 suspects, including local policemen and suspected members of the Ampatuans’ private army. The case is now pending before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221, the sala of Presiding Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes. Last week, De Lima said her department will ask the court to resume the proceedings, even as she said she understood there is a number of pending motions before the court. Sophia Regina Dedace/KBK, GMANews.TV