Sunday, April 18, 2010

My statement on the Ampatuan acquittal

Didn't Secretary Agra stop to think that Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan may have deliberately stayed out of ARMM on the day of the killings so he could claim innocence later on?

If the secretary isn't dumb then it appears he is playing dumb. The legal basis of this decision is rotten to the core. This is a shameless and despicable whitewash of the highest order.

We condemn this DOJ order to absolve Zaldy Ampatuan of any involvement in the crime. We condemn the Arroyo administration's manuever that provides aid to a staunch political ally. Indeed, former GMA spokesperson Lorelie Fajardo's words spoke the truth--that the long-standing friendship of GMA and the Ampatuans will not be affected by the massacre.

Finally, is this a deiberate move meant to free a political kingpin in order to deliver the votes to Arroyo's annointed come May 2010? This is a travesty of justice let loose no less than by the Secretary of Justice. It is an abomination that ought to be condemned and vigorously opposed.