Families of the victims of one of the Philippines’ bloodiest massacres expressed outrage that the court case against the man accused of masterminding it has once again been adjourned.

Former mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. is accused of orchestrating the massacre of 57 people in the southern Philippines last November.  The trial has been on hold since February after the defence filed numerous motions that have delayed hearings.

Commitment
The case is seen as test of President Benigno Aquino’s commitment to enforce the law and improve security.

The mother of a television journalist who died in the massacre, Catherine Nunez, said:

“We deeply hurt by the delays. We came here hoping to see a trial. But we’re disappointed again. They’re giving those criminals a lot of chances.”

Powerful clan
The 57 victims were killed by around 100 armed men as they travelled to watch the filing of papers for a member of a rival clan to stand in elections against Ampatuan, a member of a powerful political clan. The clan ruled Maguindanao, a province on the southern island of Mindanao for nearly a decade.

Murder charges have also been brought against Ampatuan’s father, uncle and three brothers, who are in custody, and around 190 police officers, soldiers and militia members. Two thirds of them are still at large.