The rebellion case in Maguindanao would be deemed submitted for resolution after the submission of the respondents’ defenses and Philippine National Police’s supplemental documents on January 12, 2010 before the Department of Justice (DoJ).

Chief State Prosecutor Jovencito Zuno reiterated that the DoJ investigating panel will no longer give the respondents another extension in filing their respective counter-affidavits to the rebellion charges.

After the next hearing on January 12, 2010, the DoJ panel would start evaluating and assessing the evidence.

During the Dec. 28 preliminary investigation (PI) on rebellion case, the DoJ panel has given all respondents who have yet to submit their respective counter-affidavits for rebellion charges until January 12, 2010 to submit their answers to the charges.

State Prosecutor Lamberto Fabros, who led the PI last Dec. 28, said they granted the request of lawyers of over 600 respondents, including seven members of the Ampatuan clan, to give them extension to file their clients’ respective answers against the rebellion complaints lodged by the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG.

The Ampatuans, led by its patriarch Andal Ampatuan Sr., were accused of repelling government forces through the use of arms following the arrest of his son, Andal Jr. tagged as the prime accused for the November 23 massacre in Maguindanao that left 57 people dead, many of whom were mediamen.

Fabros said the CIDG has yet to file supplemental affidavits that prompted some respondents to ask for a time. Some respondents told the DoJ panel that they were not even properly served with summons for the hearing.

Only one of the alleged leaders, Barira town Mayor Alexander Tumawis, who submited his counter-affidavit personally to the panel. “There is no truth to this (allegation). I have many friends to prove it that I have nothing to do with it (alleged rebellion),” he told reporters.

Mayor Tumawis stressed that he is not related to the Ampatuans and only deal with them as political allies. He also said it was impossible for him to participate in rebellion as his town is located about two hours away from the bailiwick of the Ampatuans.

The DoJ panel summoned the five Ampatuans — Rajah Buayan Mayor Yacob Ampatuan, Mamasapano Mayor Banarin Ampatuan, Datu Ulo Ampatuan, Datu Ipi Ampatuan and Datu Kanor Ampatuan, to attend the Dec. 28 PI.

The PNP-CIDG tagged the five Ampatuans as alleged leaders in the rebellion.

The rebellion charges stemmed from the complaint lodged by the PNP- Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) last Dec. 14.

Police claimed the respondents allegedly took part in the rebellion from Nov. 28 to succeeding days by joining the rallies.
They also have alleged participation when the armed troops gathered to prevent the national government from carrying out its duties in connection to the Nov. 23 massacre.

The PNP-CIDG said five other local officials also led the alleged uprising in support of the Ampatuans and they are Sultansa town Vice Mayor Sukarno Badal, Barira town Mayor Alexander Tumawis, Datu Undin town Mayor Ombra Sinsuat, Parang town Mayor Abu Talib and provincial administrator Nurie Unas.