MANILA, Philippines (PNA) — The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday said that the seven accused acquitted in the Vizconde massacre case can ask for damages from the government.

SC Spokesman and Court Administrator Atty. Jose Midas Marquez said that the acquitted accused can file a complaint and ask for damages from the government because of the wrong decision that resulted to their imprisonment for a long period of time.

However, Marquez clarified that if the accused resort to such an action, they need to present sufficient evidence to prove the damages they sustained as a result of their imprisonment.

Marquez made the clarification in the wake of the SC decision acquitting Hubert Webb and six other accused in the Vizconde massacre case because of the failure of the prosecution to prove their guilt beyond reasonable doubt.