Woman to hear Ampatuan trial
Refuses PNP security; ‘It’s just another case’
THE multiple murder case against Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. will be heard by Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes of Quezon City RTC Branch 221.
The case was re-raffled yesterday after QC RTC Judge Luisito Cortez filed a notice for inhibition Tuesday, citing heavy case load and concerns for the safety of his family, among others.
The re-raffle was presided by acting Executive Judge Fernando Sagun.
A staff of Reyes said she would not issue any statement on the matter as she still needs to read the case records.
Reyes, 49, was appointed on Dec. 28, 2004. She served as a public attorney (defender), public prosecutor, and as presiding judge of the Municipal Trial Court in Angeles City.
Employees of the QC Hall of Justice described Reyes as "punctual and strict."
Colleagues said Reyes is married although they do not have information about her family.
At 9:30 a.m. today, Sagun, 1st Vice Executive Judge Bernelito R. Fernandez, and 2nd Vice Executive Judge Vivencio S. Baclig will go to Camp Crame to examine three possible sites for the hearing.
They will then make a report as to the result of their ocular inspection to the Court, through court administrator Jose Perez.
PNP Chief Supt Jefferson Soriano, chief of the National Task Force for Investigation of the Maguindanao Massacre, met with Reyes after the re-raffle.
"She (Judge Reyes) has no reservations about handling the case. She said that she is willing to handle the case and she would treat it just like any ordinary case," said Soriano.
"In fact, Judge Reyes refused an offer to provide her police security," said Soriano.
The Department of Justice will hold a preliminary investigation today on the multiple murder charges.
Assistant Chief State Prosecutor Richard Anthony Fadullon, however, said Ampatuan Jr. has waived his appearance although security arrangements are being prepared by the NBI in case he decides to attend.
Fadullon said that there are about 50 more complaints that have been filed by the PNP against Ampatuan Jr., who is detained at the NBI jail.
About 25 counts of murder have been filed against the Datu Unsay mayor, originally before the Cotabato regional trial court, although the case has been transferred to the Quezon City RTC.
Also named as respondents are nearly 200 people believed to be involved in the Maguindanao massacre last Nov. 23, including 25 police officers detained at Camp Crame and members of the Ampatuan clan led by former Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr.
Due to the many respondents, the DOJ expects tight security to be enforced by the joint forces of the PNP and the NBI.
The preliminary investigation will be conducted by a panel of prosecutors composed of Senior State Prosecutors Rosanne Balauag and Anjanette Ortile, State Prosecutor Rex Gingoyon and Assistant Prosecution Attorney Xerxes Garcia.
The hearing will be held at the DOJ-Multi Purpose Hall.
Prosecutors admitted that the respondents are not required to attend the preliminary proceedings but the DOJ will still implement tight security around the area as "we don’t want to be caught flat-footed if all of them appear or send lawyers."
He added that the PI may go beyond the 60-day period as required under the Rule as the parties are expected to ask for extensions in submitting their counter-affidavits and other evidence.
"I think they would be asking for more time. We will grant them that opportunity," Fadullon said. – With Evangeline de Vera
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