'No delaying of Ampatuan trial'

MANILA, Philippines - Prosecutors denied yesterday defense allegations that they are delaying proceedings in the rebellion trial of the Ampatuans to prolong their detention.

Judge Vivencio Baclig of Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 77 has reset for Feb. 22 the hearing to determine probable cause after Armed Forces Eastern Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Raymundo Ferrer failed to bring copies of photos of the crime scene.

The court has also deferred the transfer of the accused from Mindanao to Metro Manila.

State Prosecutor Lamberto Fabros made the manifestation after defense lawyer Sigfrid Fortun accused the prosecution of breaking their prior commitment to present all the documents from the reports of Ferrer.

Former Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan Sr., Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan, acting Maguindanao Gov. Sajid Ampatuan, Akmad Ampatuan and Anwar Ampatuan are detained on charges of rebellion.

Ferrer presented in court his reports compiled in four folders, chronology of events-implementation of state of emergency; confidential documents on the intelligence reports and operation conducted; documents on location and strength of the Ampatuans’ private armed group; and a breakdown of firearms recovered and confiscated.

When Fabros asked Ferrer questions based on his reports, Fortun objected and informed the court that the prosecution failed to provide the defense copies of the reports as previously agreed upon.

Judge Baclig ordered a 20-minute recess to allow the reproduction of the reports.

The process lasted for almost an hour.

When Fabros was about to proceed with the direct examination, the prosecutor asked Ferrer about the photographs and the military officer showed the court his flash drive containing the photographs.

Fortun again objected and told the court that the prosecution did not comply with an earlier agreement to provide the defense copies of the reports.

He also rejected the proposal of Fabros to view the pictures from the laptop since the defense panel has yet to analyze the evidence.

Fortun asked the court to declare the prosecution in contempt for apparent disregard of its order.