28 Maguindanao massacre suspects plead not guilty

UPDATED 1:10 p.m. - Days before the first anniversary of the Maguindanao massacre, 28 more suspects pleaded not guilty to 57 counts of murder before a Quezon City court in Taguig City on Wednesday.

 The 28 suspects, composed of local Maguindanao policemen and a supposed militiaman of the Ampatuan clan, bring to 49 the number of suspects arraigned so far before the sala of Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes of the Regional Trial Court Branch 221.

 Thirty-five suspects were scheduled to be arraigned on Wednesday. However, the defense moved for the deferment of arraignment of seven suspects because their lawyers failed to attend the hearing and could not represent them. "This is a big step forward considering it's almost a year after the massacre happened," said private prosecutor Harry Roque Jr, who represents families of 13 journalists killed in the carnage. Those who pleaded not guilty on Wednesday were:

SPO1 Ali Solano;

PO1 Bersedick Alfonso;

PO2 Kendatu Rakim;

PO1 Jimmy Kadtong;

PO1 Abdurahman Batarasa;

PO3 Felix Daquilos;

PO1 Datu Jerry Utto;

PO1 Abdulbayan Mundas;

PO1 Marjul Julkadi;

PO1 Abdulmanan Saavedra;

SPO2 George Labayan;

SPO1 Samaud Maguindara;

PO3 Gibrael Alano;

SPO1 Alimola Guianon;

PO1 Pendatun Dima;

PO1 Ebara Bebot;

SPO1 Elizer Rendaje;

PO3 Ricky Balanueco;

PO2 Rexzon Guiama;

PO1 Amir Solaiman;

PO1 Tamano Hadi;

PO1 Marsman Nilong;

PO1 Badjun Panegas;

SPO1 Eduardo Ong;

PO3 Felix Enate, Jr.,

PO1 Midrael Macarongan;

PO1 Balading, and

Samaon Andatuan. 

Among those whose arraignment was defered were:

Datu Jimmy Ampatuan;

Jonathan Ampatuan;

Norman Taktak;

Macton Bilungan;

Armando Ambalgan;

SPO1 Oscar Donato; and

PO1 Abdullah Baguadatu The 

trial is going on as of posting time. The prosecution is expected to present its fifth witness on Wednesday, PO1 Rainer Ebus. The trial proper for 15 suspects, including prime suspect Andal Jr., began in September this year. Clan patriarch Andal Ampatuan Sr and his son ARMM suspended Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan both have yet to be arraigned, pending the resolution of their separate motions for review. Maguindanao massacre The Maguindanao massacre, also known as the Ampatuan massacre, occurred on November 23, 2009 in Ampatuan town in Maguindanao province in Mindanao. At the time, the massacre victims were on their way to file Esmael Mangudadatu's certificate of candidacy for Maguindanao governor. Mangudadatu, then Buluan vice mayor, won the gubernatorial post during the May 10 polls. The 57 people who were brutally killed and buried in a mass grave in Ampatuan town included Mangudadatu's wife, his two sisters, journalists, lawyers, aides, and motorists who were witnesses or were mistakenly identified as part of the convoy. –VVP, GMANews.TV