Maguindano – Even as the Philippine President has called for those suspected to surrender to the Philippine National Police force and at least one member of a powerful politcal clan described as ‘political warlords’ by Government officials was named by the national police director as a suspect.
The problem of building a case in a remote province and getting witness and evidence is going to be difficult say veteran investigators and prosecutors.
At a National Police camp in Datu Paing, Maguindanao province Government investigators and prosecutors speaking on condition of anonimity have a uphill battle to try and identify the mastermind in the massacre in Ampatuan, Maguindanao. But, forensic evidence holds the key to the case.
Eyewitnesses would be perfect for filing charges or those who participated turning state witness but in the area like Maguindanao those are becoming be hard to find. Reprisal fears make finding even bystanders or people who saw anything difficult.
BULLETS AND SHELL CASE EVIDENCE: difficult where guns are as easy to buy as soft drinks
Spent shell casing and bullets can identify weapons – if they were registered or government issued but that task is daunting since the long running insurgency in the province means the area has over an estimated 100,000 loose unregistered weapons. Some dating as far back as the second world war.
Armed groups often sell and buy weapons wholesale some come from other ASEAN countries. The overall investigation process according to experts is a long running task that will take times to tie down particular weapons to the owners of those firearms.
LAST WORDS – PHONE CALLS: Text messages could be the key to identifying killers
Phone calls and text messages may hold the key though, the strongest of which would be text messages if any were sent of MMS pictures from the scene or recovering photographers cameras or digital pictures or video gear.
All text messages are admissible in Philippine courts but need to be certified by service providers as sent though the systems. pre-paid phones also pose a problem since they often are not registered and might be challenged in court but post-paid phone numbers whose accounts are listed in the name of a victim may hold the strongest chain of evidence say investigators who are appealing for information from anyone who received messages to inform police.
The voice calls of people who later were found dead and phone records of the times the calls were made are also a key point or indication of what or who may have stopped the victims.
While common knowledge and hearsay evidence may be seen as storng indicators the general problem and fear is most of these could be chalenged by lawyers once and if the cases were brought to court.
For now- investigators face a strong challenge. Building a case that will stick up in court and make sure those responsible face justice.
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