Maguindanao massacre, 25 suspects granted bail, set at P11.6 M each

MANILA, Philippines - Two weeks after granting the bail petition of 16 police officers accused in the Maguindanao massacre trial, the Quezon City judge handling the multiple murder case yesterday allowed 25 other suspects to be temporarily released from detention.

Like in her previous order, Regional Trial Court Branch 221 Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes set bail P200,000 for each of the 58 murder cases, or a total of P11.6 million per suspect.

Covered by the latest issuance were members of the 1507th Provincial Mobile Group (PMG), particularly those who belong in the so-called “SPO1 Solano” and “Labayan” groups.

The Solano group is composed of SPO1 Ali Solano, SPO2 Samad Maguindra, PO3 Gibrael Alano, PO3 Felix Daquilos, PO2 Kendatu Rakim, PO2 Datu Jerry Utto, PO1 Marsman Nilong, PO1 Abdulmanan Saavedra, PO1 Jimmy Kadtong, PO1 Abdulbayan Mundas, PO1 Badjun Panegas, PO1 Abdurahman Batarasa and PO1 Marjul Julkadi.

Meanwhile, members of the Labayan group include SPO2 George Labayan, SPO1 Alimola Guianaton, SPO1 Elizer Rendaje, PO3 Ricky Balanueco, PO2 Rexson Guiama, PO1 Bensidick Alfonso, PO1 Pendatun Dima, PO1 Ebara Bebot, PO1 Amir Solaiman, PO1 Tamano Sahibal Hadi, PO1 Michael Macarongon and PO1 Mahamad Balading.

Weak evidence

In her order, Solis-Reyes noted that 13 of the 25 suspects were not identified by any of the prosecution witnesses.

For the remaining 12, Solis-Reyes said these members of the 1507th PMG were identified only as conducting checkpoint operations near the scene of the crime, but there was no evidence that they flagged down any of the vehicles in the ill-fated convoy.

Earlier this month, Solis-Reyes also granted the bail petition of 16 police officers who are members of the 1508th PMG.

None of those covered by the two orders have posted the P11.6 million bail set by the court.

Fifty-eight people, including 32 media practitioners, were killed in the massacre, dubbed as the single deadliest incident for journalists in world history.