Ampatuans now in Bilibid after conviction; BuCor chief vows no special treatment

Members of the powerful Ampatuan clan who were convicted of murder and sentenced to reclusion perpetua on Thursday over the 2009 Maguindanao massacre have been transferred to the New Bilibid Prison.

The Ampatuans were seen onboard an ambulance that made its way to the Maximum Security Compound of the Bilibid, Glenn Juego reported on Super Radyo dzBB.

PANOORIN: Naihatid na si Andal Ampatuan Jr. at iba pang hinatulang guilty sa Maguindanao massacre case sa maximum security compound ng New Bilibid Prison. | via @glenjuego https://t.co/zE25eDlF3V

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) December 19, 2019

Datu Unsay mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao governor Zaldy Ampatuan, Anwar Ampatuan Sr., Anwar "Ipi" Ampatuan Jr., and Anwar Sajid "Ulo" Ampatuan were among those convicted for 57 counts of murder.

Bureau of Corrections chief Gerald Bantag told GMA News that he will speak with the Ampatuans before they are escorted into the Maximum Security Compound where they will be detained along with other ordinary prisoners.

Bantag vowed that there will be no special treatment for the Ampatuans inside the NBP.

The notorious Maguindanao massacre claimed the lives of 58 individuals, including 32 journalists on November 23, 2009.

The sentencing of the Ampatuans is a long-awaited verdict on a case dubbed as the country’s worst election-related violence and the deadliest attack on journalists worldwide. — Julia Mari Ornedo/RSJ, GMA News