The Supreme Court (SC) upheld the murders of 56 people in connection with the Maguindanao Massacre in 2009, including 32 journalists, including 32 journalists (including 32 journalists), and the son of the clan patriarch Datu Andal Sr., the acquittal of datu Akmad “Tato” Apatuan.
The High Court confirmed a ruling from a district trial court in a 10-page ruling by Deputy Judge Ricardo R. Rosario, clearing Mr. Ampatuan’s responsibility due to insufficient evidence of his direct involvement in the attack.
The court noted that even if he could be considered a subsidiary of the crime, as a relative of one of the principals, Article 20 of the Amendment to the Criminal Code was relieved of his liability. This provision blocks certain family members from subordinate liability due to blood ties.
However, the ruling clarifies that such immunity does not equal innocence, but rather recognizes the legal assumption that family loyalty may prevent relatives from disclosing crimes.
The decision effectively ended the case against Mr Ampatuan 15 years after the Holocaust, which was considered the deadliest incident of election-related violence in the Philippines and the worst attack on journalists around the world.
SC further stressed that criminal liability as a conspirator or attachment requires actual cooperation proof in the illegal act. It said the prosecution failed to prove that Mr Ampatuan’s approval was essential for the execution of the Holocaust, or that he was essential for the moral upsurge of the perpetrators.
“The plan will be implemented without his approval,” the court said. The ruling was issued in January and was only made public this week. – Chloe Mari A. Hufana
