Philippine gov't says has enough evidence to charge suspects of massacre

The Department of Justice (DoJ) has found enough evidence to file 57 counts of murder against former Maguindanao Governor Andal Ampatuan, Sr. and 196 others in connection to the gruesome murders in November last year.

In a 78-page resolution, the eight-member panel of investigating prosecutors led by Senior State Prosecutor Leo Dacera particularly identified those who "instigated the plan to ambush" the members of the Mangudadatu family, as well as other civilians, including journalists.

The information was filed before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221.

"The confluence of events before and immediately after the commission of the offense leads us to no other inference than that respondents Andal U. Ampatuan, Sr., Datu Zaldy "Puti" U. Ampatuan, Datu Akmad "Tato" Ampatuan, Sr., Datu Norodin Ampatuan, and Datu Jimmy Ampatuan connived with the actual perpetrators," the panel said.

"Their acts and the attendant circumstances surrounding the commission of the crime unveil a common aim that would make all of them co-principals in the crime committed. We can deduce from their communal conduct a common design, concerted action and concurrence of sentiments," the panel added.

Source:Xinhua