Mangudadatu warns QC court vs. Ampatuan transfer request, raises suspicion over possible escape

Maguindanao Representative Esmael "Toto" Mangudadatu has cautioned the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (QCRTC) against the request of former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao governor Zaldy Ampatuan to be transferred to the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) infirmary due to health reasons.

Ampatuan, one of those convicted in the Maguindanao massacre, said through his lawyer in an urgent motion dated December 23, 2019 that he needed to undergo therapy and rehabilitation to continue with his daily medication.

Mangudadatu told the court to be wary of Ampatuan's plea and to make sure that he be kept within the confines of the NBP infirmary in Muntinlupa.

“If he is as sick as he and his lawyers claimed him to be, then we leave it up for the NBP doctors and experts to determine it. I am not against him seeking medical assistance as long as it is done within the confines of the NBP infirmary in Muntinlupa," he said.

"Hindi po sa Makati Medical Center o sa ano pa mang mamahalin at pribadong hospital where he is allowed to stay comfortably inside a hospital suite,” Mangudadatu added.

While he acknowledged Ampatuan's right to seek medical attention, Mangudadatu said he is not surprised by the request, citing the possibility of Ampatuan's escape from jail.

"My 10-year court battle with this family showed me how devious and calculating they are. Hindi malayong isipin nila ang option na tumakas. Pag nangyari yun, magiging napakahirap na para sa ating kapulisan na mahuli silang muli," the lawmaker said.

Mangudadatu also questioned why the Urgent Motion filed by Zaldy’s lawyer last December 23 was made public only on January 2.

"That alone, raises suspicion. I can only hope that I am wrong for my sake and for the sake of the families who lost their loved ones in the massacre," Mangudadatu said.

Prior to being convicted on December 19, 2019, Zaldy had spent at least 40 days at the Makati Medical Center, but QCRTC Presiding Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes ordered jail authorities to return Ampatuan to his detention cell at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.

Solis-Reyes said "there is no longer any need" for Ampatuan, a primary defendant, to remain in the hospital because his rehabilitation procedures "can be done to him as an out-patient."

Further, the judge said the medical abstract submitted by Ampatuan himself shows he is "clinically as well as neurologically stable with no more complaint of headache and dizziness," that he could walk, and includes a list of prescribed medicines and procedures.

"We are expecting other but similar petitions such as this, pero nakahanda din po kami dahil alam naming hindi pa ito lubusang natatapos sa pagbaba ng hatol sa kanila. Kaagapay namin ang dasal sa patuloy na laban naming ito," Mangudadatu said.

Aside from Zaldy, those also convicted were former Datu Unsay mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., Anwar Ampatuan Sr., Anwar "Ipi" Ampatuan Jr., and Anwar Sajid "Ulo" Ampatuan. They were judged guilty for 57 counts of murder.

Along with Manny, Mohades, and Misuari Ampatuan, several police officers and other personalities, they were sentenced to reclusion perpetua, or up to 40 years of imprisonment, without parole.

Fourteen police officers and Bong Andal, who operated the backhoe in the infamous massacre, were sentenced to six to 10 years in prison after they were found to have acted as accessories to the crime.

Clan patriarch Andal Sr. was also among the accused but he died of liver cancer while in detention in 2015.

Four Ampatuans — Akmad alias "Tato," Sajid Islam, Jonathan, Jimmy— along with dozens of other individuals were, meanwhile, acquitted on the ground of reasonable doubt; three were acquitted for the prosecution's "absolute" failure to prove their guilt. They were ordered released from jail unless they are being detained for other lawful causes.

On November 23, 2009, the wife, sisters, relatives, and supporters of a 2010 Maguindanao gubernatorial candidate — challenging an Ampatuan — were on their way to file his candidacy when they were abducted by around a hundred armed men, forced up a remote hill, and shot using high-powered firearms. They were buried in a mass grave.

Thirty-two of the victims were members of the media who had accompanied the camp of the candidate, Mangudadatu, to cover the filing. — MDM, GMA News