InterAksyon.com
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Prosecutors have asked a Quezon City court to arraign two Ampatuan clan members accused of being “principal participants” in the Maguindanao massacre since there is no reason for it to be delayed.
The prosecution panel led by Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Ma. Emilia Victorio also opposed the motion for bail of accused Datu Anwar Ampatuan and Datu Akmad Ampatuan Sr.
“Finding that there was no irregularity in the proceedings at the prosecutorial stage, there is no more reason why their arraignment will not push through, more so that they have been harping on the so-called violation of their right to speedy trial,” the six-page motion read.
The pleading was filed and received by the staff of Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes of Regional Trial Court Branch 221.
State prosecutors also voiced their opposition to both accused’s motion for bail, arguing that murder is a heinous crime and a non-bailable offense.
Members of the Ampatuan clan led by Andal Ampatuan Jr. are among 196 accused charged for the 2009 Maguindanao massacre, which left 57 people dead including 32 media workers.
Last month, Datu Anwar and Datu Akmad lodged a motion seeking permission to post bail for their provisional liberty.
Through defense counsel Atty. Paris Real, the accused claimed there was no evidence on record to implicate them for the crime.
However, the prosecution said the two accused were positively identified by several witnesses as “co-conspirators and principal participants” in the November 23, 2009 Maguindanao massacre.
They also asked to be allowed to present evidence in opposition for the motion for bail.
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