Massacre trial a showcase of PH justice system – US envoy

MANILA, Philippines – US Ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas Jr. called anew Wednesday for the early resolution of the Maguindanao massacre, which a 2009 US embassy cable released by online whistle-blower WikiLeaks said “stands out in barbarism.”

US Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr.

In a statement on the second anniversary of the brutal killing of 58 people, including 32 journalists, in the Mindanao province, Thomas said Washington “welcomes President Aquino’s pledge to bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to justice.”

“The prosecution of this case is seen by many around the world as demonstrative of the Philippines’ commitment to upholding the rule of law and protecting human rights,” the envoy said.

Thomas said they “applaud those members of the Philippine National Police, Department of Justice and the courts who are working to expedite the investigation, prosecution and adjudication of cases against those who committed this appalling act of violence.”

The American diplomat said Washington also commended the “courage of those witnesses who have come forward to testify, despite threats and intimidation, and stands in admiration of the journalists and political and community leaders who carry on their important work in memory of those who lost their lives two years ago.”

“Know that on this day and every day, we continue to remember the victims of that merciless act committed in Maguindanao on November 23, 2009, and to call for those guilty of this crime to be brought to justice,” Thomas added.

In late June 2010, Thomas deplored the murder of Suwaib Upham, one of the witnesses in the case.

Thomas said Upham’s killing made the ongoing prosecution of the case more urgent. “Too many families still wait for justice and now the Upham family joins them,” he said in a statement.

Thomas also said the US would continue to support the Philippine government’s efforts to build up its capacity to investigate and prosecute such crimes.

In a Nov. 24, 2009 cable, the US embassy in Manila, then headed by Ambassador Kristie Kenney, said it would “encourage the national government to launch a credible and effective investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice and help keep the conflict between the Ampatuan and Mangudadatu clans from escalating further.”

The mission observed that “in many parts of the Philippines, the competition for political influence remains brutal and primordial. Even by those standards, however, the November 23 massacre stands out for its barbarism.”

In another WikiLeaks-released memo, the embassy said “the events in Maguindanao have highlighted the problem of politicians’ private armies and the central government’s toleration of the armed groups.”