Details of how a powerful political clan in Southern Philippines planned the gruesome massacre of 57 people, including 32 journalists and media workers, are now slowly coming out in the open as trial of the accused finally began Wednesday in Metro Manila.

Government prosecutors presented its first witness, Lakmudian Saliao, who told the court how Andal Ampatuan Sr. presided over a meeting with his sons, daughters, in laws and close relatives to plan the murder of their political opponent over dinner days before the November 23 massacre.

Saliao, a long-time household help of Ampatuan Sr, recounted how he overheard the former Maguindanao governor gave instructions to eliminate their political opponents and how they later on tried to sneak out of the country the principal suspect, his son and namesake Andal Ampatuan Jr, following the killings.

Trial versus Andal Jr formally began this week close to 10 months after the bodies of the victims were recovered from a secluded hill in Ampatuan town, scores of them buried by a backhoe in hastily dug graves.  Others were left inside the vehicles as the killers fled after government soldiers were sent to find the missing victims.

The murders sparked international outrage and condemnation which eventually led to the arrest of several other members of the Ampatuan family and the filing of charges against scores of police officers and militiamen.

Of the 197 formally charged in court, less than 20 are actually on trial, among them Andal Jr. The rest have appealed their indictment.  Scores of the suspects have also remained at large.

The Ampatuans have repeatedly denied any involvement in the heinous crime.

Government prosecutors said Saliao’s testimony is just one of the many damning accounts of the conspiracy to commit the murders.

A private lawyer of the now Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu, said Saliao’s testimony is a “smoking gun.”

Saliao’s testimony lasted three hours and included details how the family patriarch wanted the crime covered up cleanly.

Defense lawyers have yet to cross examine the government witness.