Court: No threat vs massacre suspect who committed suicide

MANILA, Philippines - The judge handling the Maguindanao massacre trial said there was no evidence indicating that the suspect who committed suicide in a detention facility last year was subjected to psychological pressure or threats by his co-accused.

Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221 Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes said Police Officer 2 Hernanie Decipulo jumped from the rooftop of the Quezon City Jail-Annex in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City due to stress and depression.

Decipulo was entertaining his wife, Norhaya, at the visiting area at the jail’s rooftop on Feb. 6, 2012 when he went to the edge and jumped off the building.

According to Solis-Reyes, no less than Decipulo’s wife “declared that her husband never mentioned to her any threat to his life while he was inside the jail for more than two years.”

“She likewise observed no threat in his life during his confinement in Camp Bagong Diwa,” the judge said in an omnibus order dated Sept. 2.

Most suspects, including members of the Ampatuan clan, are detained in Camp Bagong Diwa.

The judge mentioned Decipulo in explaining her ruling that denied the request of members of the 1508th Maguindanao Provincial Mobile Group requesting their transfer to Camp Crame.

In their motion, the police officers claimed that they want to be transferred from their present detention cell “because they want to get away from the shocking incident that happened to their comrade.”

Principal accused Andal Ampatuan Jr. opposed the request, saying there was no evidence that they are threatening their co-accused. 

Solis-Reyes said there is no basis in claiming that suspects who are prospective prosecution witnesses will be subjected to psychological pressure or serious threat of physical harm.