(Eagle News) — Zaldy Ampatuan, the principal accused in the 2010 Maguindanao massacre, was ordered by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) on Tuesday to be sent back in jail from the Makati hospital where he is presently recovering from a stroke.
The order from Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221 came two days before the scheduled promulgation of the decision in the controversial multiple mass murder case.
Ampatuan had originally asked for an extension of his hospital confinement until his health condition improved.
“Unless his attending physicians, Dr. Katerina Tanya Perez-Gosiengfiao (and) Dr. Paul Kristian Manog Jaca, cardiologist, and neurologist will execute a certification under oath that his return to the detention facility will endanger his life, reason dictates that the relief prayed for in the motion filed by the prosecution (for the return to jail) must be granted,” stated the order of Quezon City RTC Branch 221 Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes.
Ampatuan’s defense submitted a comment claiming that a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) showed that he had indeed suffered a stroke and needed to recuperate inside a hospital.
“To the mind of the prosecution panel, there is no longer any need for accused Zaldy to be continuously confined at the Makati Medical Center since he is only now undergoing physical and occupational therapy, which procedure can be undertaken or done at his detention facility in Taguig City,” the prosecutors said in their manifestation dated November 22 to Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221.
On Thursday, Dec. 19, the decision of the Maguindanao massacre case is expected to be promulgated inside Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City, a decade after the gruesome brutal murders of 58 people that had shocked the nation.
It was on the morning of Nov. 23, 2009 when the massacred happened. Among the 58 victims killed was the wife of Esmael Mangudadatu, then vice mayor of Buluan town. She was filing her husband’s certificate of candidacy for Maguindanao governor, challenging Datu Unsay mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., son of the incumbent Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan Sr. in the forthcoming Maguindanao gubernatorial election.
At least 32 journalists have died in the massacre. Other victims were family members and supporters of the Ampatuan clan’s political foe, Esmael Mangudadatu, who eventually became the governor of Maguindanao, and now currently serving as the Second District Representative of the province.
In a notice sent to newsmen, Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez and Assistant Court Administrator Brian Keith F. Hosaka assured the public that the high court will immediately upload the decision of the trial court in the case in the SC website as soon as possible.
Only two video cameras will be allowed to take footage of the proceedings to be provided and manned by the personnel of the state-run People’s Television Network (PTV) upon the request of the high court.
The first camera of PTV shall be directed at the judge and whoever will read the decision, on a wide-angle shot, while the second camera of PTV shall be directed at the lawyers, counsels and the parties, also on a wide-angle shot.
In no case will the shot pan the surroundings or zoom in on any individuals inside the courtroom. The video footage shall be shared in real-time with other broadcast networks.
“No expert commentaries shall be allowed during the live coverage of the promulgation,” the guidelines said of the broadcast networks adding that PTV “shall air the promulgation without any interruption”.
In November, the Supreme Court (SC) granted a 30-day extension upon Reyes’ request to be given more time to come up with a decision after it considered the huge volume of evidence and parties in the case.
Under court rules, all trial courts should promulgate their decision within the 90-day period after the case has been submitted for decision. (with a PNA report)
