Guevarra defends prosecutors under fire after court grants Zaldy Ampatuan furlough bid

(Eagle News) — Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Wednesday, Aug. 22, defended the prosecutors who have come under fire after a court granted the motion of Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao governor Zaldy Ampatuan for him to be allowed to attend his daughter’s wedding.

“The prosecution vigorously opposed Zaldy Ampatuan’s motion for a furlough…,” Guevarra said.

According to Guevarra, the court, however, granted Ampatuan’s motion “for humanitarian reasons.”

On Tuesday, Ampatuan attended his daughter’s wedding at the Sofitel Manila after he secured a court order allowing him to make an appearance from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Chief Inspector Xavier Solda, spokesperson of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, said  Ampatuan was detained in the Quezon City Jail Annex inside Camp Bagong Diwa.

Ampatuan is a primary suspect in the killings of 58 people, including over 30 journalists, on November 23, 2009.

His case has been submitted for resolution.