A mayor in the southern Philippines accused in the November massacre of dozens of people — the worst act of political violence in the country’s history — pleaded not guilty to 41 charges of murder at the opening of his trial on Tuesday.
The massacre left 57 people dead, including relatives of the mayor’s political opponent on their way to file campaign papers. But 30 reporters and media workers were also among the victims — the largest number of journalists killed in a single episode, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.
The family of the mayor, Andal Ampatuan Jr., has close political connections to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
Prosecutors have said that hundreds of other individuals, mostly members of a militia maintained by Mr. Ampatuan’s family, would be charged in the massacre, but so far, only 41 cases have been filed, according to Harry Roque, a lawyer who represents several of the victims’ families. Some of those suspects are in police custody, although only Mr. Ampatuan appeared in court on Tuesday.
No comments:
Post a Comment