In a heavily criticized press conference from his prison in Manila, Ampatuan maintained his innocence and pointed his finger at unnamed persons who might have been involved in the slaughter in the southern province of Maguindanao.

Charges dropped

Acting Justice Secretary Alberto Agra has meanwhile ordered state prosecutors to drop charges against Ampatuan. The Chief State Prosecutor has called on Agra to review the decision and has said that this might reinforce fears in the country that the justice system is "impotent in the case of politically influential victims".

According to Supreme Court spokesperson Midas Marquez, the trial of 14 police officers, also accused in the case, is scheduled for Wednesday. Marquez has said that it is not clear when proceedings against Ampatuan, his father and two other family members will begin. Earlier, evidence was presented against Ampatuan during an unfinished bail hearing.

Political rivalry

Andal Ampatuan Jr. is the son of the provincial governor of Maguindanao and was supposedly being groomed to succeed his father. He has been accused of being directly involved with the murder of the wife, sisters and supporters of a top politician, Esmael Mangudadatu, who was also running for the post of Provincial Governor for Maguindanao.

According to the Department of Justice, 30 journalists were also killed. They had been travelling in a convoy to register Mangudadatu for the candidacy when they were stopped and brutally gunned down. Ampatuan Jr. is accused of leading 100 gunmen in carrying out the massacre.

mg/Reuters/AFPE
Editor: Sarah Berning