24 June 2010

Alert

Key witness in Ampatuan massacre case shot dead


(SEAPA/IFEX) - 24 June 2010 - A witness in the massacre of 57 people, including 32 journalists, in Mindanao, Philippines has been killed, media reports said.

Agence France Presse said Suwaib Upham was shot dead last week. Upham, who had admitted he was one of the gunmen, accused his former employers, the powerful Ampatuan clan of Maguindanao province, of orchestrating the slaying of key members of a rival clan and 32 journalists on 23 November 2010.

The "Philippine Daily Inquirer" quoted lawyer Harry Roque, who represents the families of several of the victims, as saying Upham's killing might weaken the case against the Ampatuans.

"He was supposed to be one of our strongest witnesses," Roque said. He saw, and participated in, the killings and could have directly named in court those involved."

A few months ago, the uncle of another witness was also shot dead in Mindanao.

Source:

Southeast Asian Press Alliance
Unit 3B, Thakolsuk Place
No. 115 Terddumri Road
Dusit, Bangkok 10300
Thailand
seapa (@) seapa.org
Phone: +66 2 243 5579
Fax: +66 2 244 8749
 

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From other IFEX members

Investigate killing of massacre witness (Human Rights Watch)

More on this case

CMFR statement on second anniversary of Ampatuan massacre, "a turning point and a test" 23 November 2011 SEAPA presents appeal letter calling for an end to impunity 23 November 2011 Appeal for key suspect in Ampatuan massacre trials rejected 10 November 2011 IFJ demands safety guarantee at Ampatuan massacre trials 8 August 2011 "Special court" designated to handle Ampatuan massacre case 15 July 2011 Supreme Court allows live coverage of Ampatuan massacre trial 24 June 2011 IFJ welcomes arraignment of key Ampatuan massacre suspects 3 June 2011 Thirty-eight organisations call for freedom of expression and justice in the Ampatuan massacre trials 1 June 2011 Court demands explanation for critical remarks by journalist, victim's widow, in Ampatuan trial 5 May 2011 Five hundred days since massacre, it's time for Aquino to act, say Philippine and international organisations 8 April 2011 Add your voice in support of justice for murdered journalists 10 March 2011 CMFR statement on 15-month commemoration of Ampatuan Massacre 24 February 2011 International partnership meeting statement 24 November 2010 RSF pays tribute to victims, one year after Maguindanao massacre 24 November 2010 CMFR statement in commemoration of the first anniversary of the Ampatuan massacre 24 November 2010 IFEX remembers Maguindanao massacre on one-year anniversary 22 November 2010 Damning testimony for Ampatuan clan at Maguindanao massacre trial 10 September 2010 Lawyer interviewed as Maguindanao massacre trial resumes 2 September 2010 CPJ meets justice officials, urges anti-impunity policies 25 August 2010 Trial date set for Mindanao massacre trial 20 August 2010 In letter to President-elect Aquino, CPJ calls for launch of probe into circumstances surrounding Maguindanao massacre 10 June 2010 Political interference suspected after charges against alleged masterminds of Maguindanao massacre are dropped 20 April 2010 Accused in Maguindanao massacre to remain in detention despite dismissal of rebellion charges 5 April 2010 Human Rights Watch calls on authorities to protect witnesses to Maguindanao massacre 11 March 2010 "Lest we forget" - Joint CMFR and SEAPA statement on the 100th day of the Ampatuan massacre 5 March 2010 Indictment of nearly 200 in Maguindanao killings a welcome first step 10 February 2010 Toll of media workers killed in massacre rises, attacks continue 20 January 2010 Media restrictions in Ampatuan trial must be lifted, says coalition of Filipino journalists 13 January 2010 Coalition of media groups calls for independent probe into massacre of journalists 9 December 2009 CMFR statement on the killings in Maguindanao 24 November 2009 Twelve reporters among victims of mass killing 23 November 2009

Philippines

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