MANILA — The case against Datu Andal Ampatuan Jr. and his co-accused in the 2009 Maguindanao massacre inched closer to a conclusion Wednesday following the formal offer of evidence by the defense before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court handling the case.
In a seven-page pleading, Ampatuan’s lawyer Raymond Fortun offered evidence including exhibits they filed during the petition for bail proceedings.
Among the evidence offered was the signed minutes of a meeting held at the Municipality of Datu Unsay, Maguindanao on Nov. 23, 2009 where Unsay claimed he was in the meeting from 8 a.m. until past noon on the day of the attack.
The 58 victims were on their way to accompany the filing of a certificate of candidacy for Esmael Mangudadatu, vice mayor of Buluan town, when they were abducted and killed.
Mangudadatu was challenging Unsay mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., son of the incumbent Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan Sr.
Aside from the journalists, among those killed were Mangudadatu’s wife, his two sisters, lawyers, aides, and motorists. (Benjamin Pulta/PNA)
