Akmad Ampatuan urges CA: Rule on DoJ exclusion order
By Benjamin B. Pulta 06/10/2010 Former Maguindanao Vice Gov. Datu Akmad Ampatuan Sr. has petitioned the Court of Appeals (CA) to challenge Justice Secretary Alberto Agra’s order which revoked the latter’s resolution ordering his and suspended Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan’s exclusion as co-accused in the murder complaint in connection with the Nov. 23 Maguindanao massacre. In a 30-page petition, Ampatuan Sr. through his lawyer Felipe Egargo Jr. asked the appellate court to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) enjoining the Department of Justice (DoJ) from proceeding with his prosecution on the basis of the affidavit of new witness Abdul Talusan that was submitted by private prosecution lawyer Nena Santos in her motion for reconsideration of the April 26 resolution issued by Agra. Agra, in his April 16 resolution, granted the petition for review filed by Akmad and Zaldy seeking the reversal of the resolution of the panel of prosecutors which found probable cause to indict them for their alleged involvement in the massacre of 57 civilians, including at least 30 journalists. The DoJ chief held that the defense of alibi of the two accused is stronger than the positive identification of witness Kenny Dalandag. Agra’s dismissal of the criminal complaint against Akmad and Zaldy drew public outrage, particularly from the members of the prosecution panel who called for his revocation of the said resolution. Source: The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20100610nat1.html |
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