Security tight for V-Day trial

Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay called for tighter security measures yesterday at City Hall’s old session hall, which would be the venue for the trail of suspects tagged in the Valentine’s Day bombing of a passenger bus on EDSA last month.

Binay ordered his men to inspect and prepare the old session hall for a series of hearings involving three alleged members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), which has vowed retaliatory attacks following last Tuesday’s assault on a Bicutan jail that left 22 jailed terrorists dead.

Citing the dangers of having suspected terrorists tried in a crowded court room, Binay offered the use of the session hall, which was once used by members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod.

Makati City Regional Trail Court (MCRTC) judges handling the multiple murder and multiple frustrated murder cases agreed and accepted the mayor’s offer.

"The old session hall is easier to secure and it is big enough to accommodate the more than 20 complainants involved in the case," Binay said.

The session hall also provides the added convenience of holding hearings of both MCRTC Branch 60 and 62 instead of transferring the detainees from one court room to another.

The old session hall can seat a maximum of 66 persons and was used by the City Council from the 1960s until year 2001 when the local legislature transferred to the 22nd floor of the new City Hall building.

Tight security measures were tight last Monday as three of the Makati bus bombing suspects were herded into the old session hall for their arraignment.

Military personnel escorted the three men tagged in the bombing of an RRCG bus near the Ayala station of the MRT that left four dead and more than 100 injured last Feb. 14.

Angelo Trinidad alias Abu Kalil, Gamal Baharan, alias Kumander Tapay, and Gappal Bannah Asali alias Boy Negro were presented to Judge Selma Alaras of Branch 62 for the multiple murder case and to Judge Marissa Guillen of Branch 60 for the multiple frustrated murder case.

Trinidad and Baharan both pleaded not guilty while Asali, who admitted he supplied the explosives left inside the bus, pleaded guilty in both cases.

Asali said he pleaded guilty and accepted responsibility for his part in the bombing, noting that he is ready to cooperate with authorities.