Ampatuan guilty verdict a ‘victory’ but fight isn’t over — Roque
Credit to Author: The Manila Times| Date: Thu, 19 Dec 2019 05:33:08 +0000
LAWYER Harry Roque on Thursday lauded the “victory” of the families of the 58 individuals who were massacred in Maguindanao 10 years ago after the alleged masterminds were convicted and sentenced to reclusion perpetua or up to 40 years in prison without parole on Thursday.
READ: Court finds members of Ampatuan clan guilty
“Ito po ay malaking tagumpay sa mga biktima, nagkaroon po ng closure [This is a big victory for the victims, there is a closure],” Roque told the reporters in an ambush interview.
Roque said the moment the decision against the Ampatuans were announced, families of the victims started clapping.
Datu Andal Unsay Ampatuan, Jr, Zaldy Ampatuan, Anwar Ampatuan, Sr. were among those convicted of 57 counts of murder by Quezon City Regional Trial Court Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes.
“Nagpalakpakan na po ang pamilya nung nabasahan ang lima sa [akusado] so sigurado ako na nagagalak ang pamilya [The families were all clapping when the decision was read on five of Ampatuans, so I’m sure they are happy],” he said.
However, Roque said that the fight for justice isn’t over as some of the accused were acquitted.
“Hindi pa tapos ang laban [The fight isn’t over],” Roque said. DARWIN PESCO