PHILIPPINE MASSACRE SUSPECT DENIES CHARGES

Ampatuan is accused in the killing of 57 journalists and family members of a political rival [AFP]

The main suspect in the worst political massacre in the Philippines has pleaded not guilty.
Charged with 41 counts of murder over the killing of 57 people in November, including pregnant women who were relatives of a political rival and about 30 journalists, Andal Ampatuan Jr appeared in a Manila court on Tuesday and denied the charges.

• Heavily-armed police escorts took Ampatuan Jr to the special court inside the Philippines' national police headquarters for the first step in judicial proceedings in a case that has put the nation's corruption-plagued political and justice systems under the microscope. Critics fear the case could drag on for years.
• "This is something that everyone must monitor every step of the way," said Ramon Casiple, a political analyst with the Institute for Political and Economic Reform.
• "What we are facing here is a very strong clan with very strong political connections and the capability to intimidate or even kill witnesses," he told the AFP news agency.
• "This puts the justice system to a test, because past cases with heavy political overtones have never been satisfactorily concluded."
• "At the end of the day, it's still politics talking. And these warlords will not go down quietly," he said.
• One judge has already backed out from the explosive case, saying he feared for his life and there have been calls from prosecutors for the justice department to ensure the safety of witnesses.
• According to prosecutors, at least 10 witnesses have said Ampatuan Jr led 100 of his armed men in stopping a convoy carrying members of a rival political family and journalists on November 23.
• Prosecutors allege they then murdered 57 people, including the wife and two sisters of political rival Esmael Mangudadatu.

Source: The Agencies