The Philippine Online Chronicles

Quezon City Regional Trial Court (QC-RTC) judge Jocelyn Reyes called for an “indefinite” suspension of the Ampatuan Massacre trial, GMA News Online reported today.

The suspension came after Reyes received at least four separate motions coming from the defense, and called for additional time for the prosecution to answer it. Reyes is assigned to QC-RTC Branch 221.

“Temporarily, she will not set any hearing until such time that the pending incidence of supplemental recusation and motion to admit information [has been commented on],”Assistant Chief State Prosecutor Richard Anthony Fadullon.

The defense panel presented two motions for inhibition, a motion to admit amended information, and a motion to defer the proceedings. The prosecution opposed a motion for inhibition filed by Andal Ampatuan, Jr., who is the principal suspect in the Ampatuan Massacre in Maguindanao last November 23.

"That's their strategy. That's not us. We are ready to present our case any time," said Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Agnes Devanadera in the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Nena Santos, lawyer of complainant Ismail Mangudadatu said that the court gave them two weeks to resolve the defense's motions. Private prosecutor Pete Principe clarified that the suspension will "not delay" the trial as it is "part of the procedures."

On the other hand, Reyes gave the defense ten days to answer the prosecution's opposition on the motion of inhibition.

In a Sun Star Online report, Branch 221 clarified that the respondents will be indicted for 41 murders, as recommended by the DOJ. The Ampatuan Massacre left 57 dead, including 30 journalists. According to the report, the DOJ has yet to make a ruling on the probable cause of the 16 remaining murder counts.

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