President Rodrigo Duterte was “dismayed” that former Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao governor Zaldy Ampatuan, the main suspect in the Maguindanao massacre, was allowed to leave jail to attend his daughter’s wedding, Malacañang said Thursday.
“The panel of prosecutors and the President opposed the motion and we’re dismayed it was granted,” Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque told reporters.
He made the statement in response to the statement of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines seeking a “credible explanation” of the furlough granted to Ampatuan.
Roque also assured the families of the victims that the furlough granted to Ampatuan would not, in any way, affect the case.
“I can assure you this will not affect the case and I think you know why I can give that assurance,” said Roque who once served as a lawyer to some of the victims’ families.
Ampatuan attended the wedding of his daughter Kristina on Tuesday.
A video shared on Facebook by Tawi-Tawi Rep. Ruby Sahali showed the former governor dancing with his daughter at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza in Pasay City.
Meanwhile, several high-ranking government officials were invited as principal sponsors to the wedding, such as Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go, and Duterte’s daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.
In a text message sent to reporters on Thursday, Medialdea said he did not attend the wedding due to a prior commitment.
“Yes, I was asked by the Samama family to be the godparent of the couple, but I had to graciously excuse myself from attending because of a prior engagement,” Medialdea said.
Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza also said he did not attend the wedding because of his activities in Davao.
Ampatuan aces 58 charges of murder after being involved in the Maguindanao massacre in 2009, tagged as the deadliest attack on journalists in history.