BACOLOD CITY – The sister of human rights lawyer Connie Jayme-Brizuela who died in the Ampatuan Massacre in 2009 said justice is already served following the conviction of the principal suspects Andal Ampatuan, Jr and Zaldy Ampatuan.
Andrea Jayme, sister of the deceased human rights lawyer, however, said they still fear that the Ampatuans can threaten their safety as some of the suspects were acquitted while others are still at large.
Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes yesterday sentenced Andal, Jr. and Zaldy Ampatuan to reclusion perpetua without parole, while 50 others including the son of Andal Sr, Datu Sajid Islam Ampatuan were acquitted.
Jayme said she had expected the conviction of the principal suspects and was hoping that all the Ampatuans will be jailed.
“I hope this tragedy will no longer be repeated. I hope the Ampatuans will not take revenge on the families of the victims after the decision of the judge,” said Jayme.
Jayme-Brizuela was the legal counsel of Esmael Mangudadato who was running for a gubernatorial race in the 2010 elections. They were on their way to Shariff Aguak to file a COC for Mangudadatu when their convoy was stopped by a police checkpoint and then led to hilly portion of the town, where they were killed.
Fifty-eight were killed including 32 journalists and media workers in an incident that was labelled as the single deadliest attack against the press since 1992.
