BJMP orders probe of Maguindanao massacre suspect's suicide

MANILA, Philippines -  Bureau of Jail Management and Penology Director Rosendo Dial said yesterday he directed officials of the Quezon City Jail Annex to investigate the death of Police Officer 2 Hernanie Decipulo, one of the 196 accused in the 2009 Maguindanao massacre.

Dial said an investigation would remove doubts of foul play, although initial reports state Decipulo, 38, committed suicide by jumping from the rooftop of the four-story building of the Quezon City Jail Annex in Camp Bagong Diwa.

Meanwhile, jail nurse Edith Tobias said Decipulo had been depressed after contracting mumps (acute parotitis) two weeks ago. She described him as one of the funniest persons among the massacre suspects.

Tobias said Decipulo would cover his face each time he would go out.

Jail warden Senior Inspector John Conrad Basilio said Decipulo’s wife Norhaya “told me that (her husband) was depressed. She did not elaborate.” Basilio, who took office only on Feb. 2, added that the police officer was noticeably quiet.

Decipulo jumped four floors to his death between 3 and 4 p.m. on Monday. It was visitation hours then and Decipulo was on the rooftop with Norhaya.

The couple was preparing to pray when Decipulo “asked his wife to get their Tasbih (Muslim prayer beads),” Basilio said. When Norhaya left, the police officer jumped.

Decipulo fell face up “but he was still moving,” prompting jail officers to rush him to nearby D. J. Sabili Hospital (not Taguig-Pateros as earlier reported), where he was declared dead.

Norhaya claimed his body at 7 p.m. Monday, brought it to a mosque in Quiapo, Manila before flying it to Cotabato City yesterday morning.

Decipulo was laid to rest at 3 p.m. yesterday, in accordance with the Muslim tradition that a person has to be buried within 24 hours after death.

 – Cecille Suerte Felipe, Aie Balagtas See