After enduring weeks of condemnation, acting Justice Secretary Alberto Agra Wednesday reversed a decision to drop murder charges against two key allies of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in last year’s massacre of 57 people in Maguindanao province.
Agra’s earlier decision to clear Zaldy
Ampatuan and Akmad Ampatuan drew nationwide outrage and calls for his resignation, which he largely ignored.
Zaldy is a brother of the main suspect, Andal Ampatuan Jr., and governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, while Akmad is Andal Jr.’s cousin and vice governor of Maguindanao.
The
Ampatuans, who delivered crucial votes for Ms Arroyo and her candidates in two previous elections, were accused of leading policemen and militiamen in the murders of their political rivals and at least 30 journalists accompanying them.
The Ampatuans have denied the charges against them. The emotional trial opened in January in the country’s largest criminal case since post-World War II prosecutions of war criminals.
Agra, an election lawyer who defended Ms Arroyo against charges of massive election fraud in 2004, has been at the receiving end of nationwide protests since his April 16 decision to drop the charges against the two Ampatuans.
On Wednesday, he said new pieces of evidence made him change his mind.
“I am now convinced that there is probable cause,†said Agra, whose appointment as justice secretary is deemed temporary since it could not be acted on by Congress’ Commission on Appointments which is on recess.
Leandro Mendoza, acting executive secretary of Ms Arroyo, earlier called on Agra to review the decision he made to drop Zaldy and Akmad from the charge list.
The President’s spokesperson, Gary Olivar, said Malacañang was backing Agra’s turnaround.
“Secretary Agra was simply being consistent … that his decisions are based only on facts,†Olivar said. “New facts, new decision. This is natural and reasonable.†- Philippine Daily Inquirer
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