CPJ: Prosecutor’s death a “blow" to Maguindanao carnage trial

As the anniversary of the Maguindanao massacre approaches, an international media group said that the death of one of the state prosecutors handling the case was a “tremendous blow to all those seeking to end the culture of impunity" in the Philippines. Senior State Prosecutor Leo Dacera, 54, died of a heart attack last November 4. [See: Prosecutor handling Ampatuan case dies of heart attack.] The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) called Dacera a “a committed and dedicated public servant." "Leo was a great ally who understood what needed to be done," said CPJ board member Sheila Coronel. "He will be sorely missed. I don't think there's anyone at the Department of Justice who comes close in terms of a commitment to seeing prosecutions through." Dacera was part of a prosecution panel, headed by Assistant Chief State Prosecutor Richard Anthony Fadullon, handling the high-profile case charging members of the Ampatuan clan, among others in the murders of at least 57 people — including 32 journalists — on Nov. 23, 2009. The Ampatuans allegedly ordered the killing of members of the rival Mangudadatu clan, their supporters, and journalists in Maguindanao. The massacre has been called one of the worst instances of political violence in the Philippines. The Quezon City Regional Trial Court is now holding trial hearings on the multiple murder charges filed against 197 suspects in the massacre, led by former Datu Unsay town Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. Mindanao-based Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo has added his voice to those calling for a speedy resolution to the trial. “Sabi nga nila mahina man ang gulong ng hustisya, pero tayo ay nanalangin na ang hustisya ay makakamtan pa rin ng mga biktima at ng ating lipunan sa nangyari sa Maguindanao massacre (They say that the wheels of justice are slow, but we pray that justice is still secured for the victims of the Maguindanao massacre)," said Cotabato Auxiliary Bishop Bagaforo in an interview on Church-run Radio Veritas. ‘Dedicated public servant’ Meanwhile, CPJ also cited the fact that Dacera headed the witness protection program (WPP) of the Department of Justice. “Although the program was under-funded and unpopular in some political circles, Dacera was making steady progress," said CPJ Executive Director Joel Simon. Simon noted that he had also met then Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales, and found him “overtly hostile" when he laid out CPJ’s research on the culture of impunity in the Philippines. “The brief meeting with the angry Gonzales made me admire Dacera all the more, because I saw precisely what he was up against," Simon said. Current Justice Secretary Leila de Lima told reporters that she had come to rely on Dacera. “He attended personally to the witnesses' needs. He was so dedicated and passionate. His life revolved around the WPP." In response to comments from De Lima that Dacera had been “low, withdrawn and depressed" before his death, the CPJ said, “While there is no evidence to suggest that he died from anything other than natural causes, given the sensitivity of his position a thorough and transparent investigation should be carried out. CPJ also credited Dacera for winning the convictions of three assailants in the murder of Marlene Garcia-Esperat, a Philippine reporter slain in her home in front of her children in 2005. — LRS/VS, GMANews.TV