MANILA, Philippines — The resolution of the Maguindanao massacre case is “personal” to President Duterte, Malacañang said, as it expressed hope that the trial court would rule on the case soon. “When the people who were about to bury the massacre victims saw the helicopter, they fled without finishing the burying of the 58 victims,” Andanar said in an interview with state-run Radyo Pilipinas last Saturday. “That means, this is really personal to President Duterte,” he added. The massacre prompted then president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to place Maguindanao under martial law. Andanar expressed optimism that the reputation of the Philippines in relation to press freedom would improve despite the massacre.

Source: Philippine Star November 25, 2018 16:14 UTC