Prosecutor: Expect emotions to run high during Andal Sr arraignment

A private prosecutor representing families of some of the Maguindanao massacre victims on Tuesday said he expects his clients to become emotional during the arraignment of suspect and clan patriarch Andal Ampatuan Sr. on Wednesday. Lawyer Harry Roque, who represents the families of 13 journalists and two non-media victims killed in the massacre, said at least five of his clients have signified their interest to attend Wednesday's arraignment in Taguig City to see the clan patriarch. Roque said he could not blame his clients if they break down in tears because they have waited for almost a year and a half just to see Andal Sr. face the court and enter a plea for the 57 counts of murder lodged against him and 56 other suspects. 12 prominent suspects Of the 12 prominent Ampatuan clan members charged for the massacre, only one - former Datu Unsay mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. - has been arraigned. [See related: Wanted: More than 100 suspects in Ampatuan massacre] Apart from Andal Jr., 56 other suspects - composed of local policemen and civilian volunteer organization members - have been arraigned and pleaded not guilty. The Quezon City court hearing the massacre case earlier could not arraign Andal Sr. because of the motion for reinvestigation that he filed with the Court of Appeals (CA). The CA junked Andal Sr'.s request and the clan patriarch asked the Quezon City court to arraign him. His son, suspended ARMM Gov. Rizaldy "Zaldy" Ampatuan, also has a pending motion with the CA and could not yet be arraigned. However, Roque said he and his clients would also manifest in court on Wednesday to finally arraign Zaldy and another of Andal Sr.'s sons, Sajid Ampatuan, as well. "We will be complaining in court why Andal Sr's other children are not yet arraigned. Bakit hanggang ngayon after a year and a half, hindi pa rin," the lawyer said. Roque said that while Zaldy has a pending motion with the CA, the latter has not issued a temporary restraining order to stop the arraignment. The 60-day allowable period to defer an accused individual's arraignment has also long lapsed, Roque added. Like Leviste? The lawyer also said they would be reiterating their request to be allowed to personally visit Andal Sr and the other suspects at their detention cells inside the Quezon City Jail Annex in Taguig City, especially after the controversial "escape" of homicide convict Antonio Leviste. "Gusto nila makita kung saan nakakulong ang mga suspects. Kasi natatakot sila na baka ma-Leviste rin sila," said Roque. Leviste, a former Batangas governor, was transferred to the maximum security from the minimum security after authorities discovered that he could freely go in and out of the National Bilibid Prison compound and stay at his office in Makati City. Andal Sr. has mostly been away from the public eye ever since being implicated in the gruesome massacre where 57 people, including 32 journalists, were killed. A 58th victim is still missing. The patriarch was last seen in public being transferred to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Medical Center along V. Luna Street in Quezon City to undergo treatment of his skin disorder called herpes zoster. - VVP, GMA News