2 Maguindanao massacre suspects want to post bail

MANILA, Philippines - Two civilians implicated in the Maguindanao massacre multiple murder case are asking the court to allow them to post bail.

Bulatukan Omar Kayansang and Datutucon Melaguial Esmail separately sought to be allowed to post bail for the multiple murder charges against them, which are supposedly non-bailable offenses. They are among the 196 persons indicted for the murders on Nov. 23, 2009 in Ampatuan town in Maguindanao.

The Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221 received the two separate petitions, both filed by lawyers Paris Real, Emmanuel Brotarlo and Sherwin Real, who represent the two accused.

Members of the Ampatuan clan are among those indicted for 57 counts of murder.

The two accused claimed that they were “baselessly implicated” in the massacre. They claimed there was no direct evidence linking them to the killings.

Based on court records, there are around 50 accused who have asked to be allowed to post bail, including Andal Ampatuan Jr. and several police officers. The Quezon City court has yet to resolve any of these 16 pending petitions for bail.