Former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has been listed as a “hostile witness” in the massacre of 57 people in Maguindanao province on November 23, 2009, which was blamed on members of a powerful clan identified as her close political allies, according to a private prosecutor.
Lawyer Harry Roque, who represents the families of some of the victims, explained Arroyo’s testimony is vital in the civil case which he would file against members of the clan led by their patriarch former Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan and who have been indicted for multiple murder as a result of the bloodbath.
“This is to prove that the murder would not have happened had she (Arroyo) not given the Ampatuans too much power,” Roque stressed. “The Ampatuans were confident to do this because of their very close relationship.”
He also pointed out that in the civil case, he would demand the award of exemplary damages to the massacre victims, citing the vast financial resources that the Ampatuans have exhibited as indicated by the number of luxury vehicles and the mansions that are registered in their names.
According to Roque, no one objected when he made his manifestation in court, meaning that Arroyo will now be included in prosecution’s list of witnesses although as a “hostile witness.”
Arroyo, now a congresswoman representing her home province of Pampanga in Central Luzon, was earlier listed as one of the more than 300 witnesses to be presented by the defense during the trial of six Ampatuan clan members and 190 others before Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes of the Regional Trial Court of suburban Quezon City, Metro Manila, who is handling the multiple murder case.
But prosecution lawyers disclosed they learned the defense panel was forced to withdraw its plan after being informed that Arroyo was “upset” and was vehemently protesting her inclusion as witness for the Ampatuans.
Nevertheless, one of the Ampatuan lawyers also insisted Arroyo’s testimony was no longer needed because it was not longer relevant to the case.
Roque said he would ask the court to issue a “bench warrant” against Arroyo if she would refuse to testify since she no longer enjoys presidential immunity.
At the same time, Richard Fadullon, the deputy chief state prosecutor, welcomed the announcement that the court has finally set the trial of the murder case on September 1, or 10 months after the massacre was committed.
Lawyer Nena Santos, another private prosecution lawyer, agreed, saying this development will prevent their witnesses from not only losing interest in the case but also protect them from threats and harassments.
At least two policemen implicated in the carnage have indicated their desire to turn state witness and promised to “tell all” what they know during the trial.
The victims included 30 Mindanao-based journalists as well as the wife and two sisters of the scion of a rival clan of the Ampatuans, Esmael Mangudadatu, who was elected Maguindanao governor in the May 10 automated polls.
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