Fiscals to appeal bail grant for Ampatuan son

MANILA, Philippines - The prosecution panel in the Maguindanao massacre trial will appeal a court order that granted the bail petition of Sajid Islam Ampatuan, son of former Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan Sr.

In a text message, private prosecutor Nena Santos – lawyer for Maguindanao governor Esmael Mangudadatu – said they have informed Justice Secretary Leila de Lima of the need to appeal the court order released on Friday.

 “The testimony of (Butch) Saudagal is proof that he participated in the checking of the checkpoints (prior to the massacre),” Santos told The STAR.

Saudagal is a new witness the prosecution panel will present in the five-year trial. He was wounded in a supposed ambush in Maguindanao last year.

In a 12-page omnibus order on Friday, Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221 Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes granted the bail petition of Sajid Islam and set his bail at P11.6 million.

However, she ruled against the bail petition of Anwar Ampatuan Sr. and Akmad “Tato” Ampatuan, son and son-in-law, respectively, of the Ampatuan clan patriarch.

According to the judge, the prosecution panel failed to establish strong evidence that would warrant the continued detention of Sajid Islam while the trial is ongoing.

Citing the testimonies of witnesses, the judge noted that the suspect was merely present in the meetings but did not utter any word while matters about the crime were supposedly being discussed.

The judge, however, reiterated that the findings of the court on the bail petition are not related to a finding of guilt or innocence, which would be adjudged in a full-blown trial.

Meanwhile, Solis-Reyes noted that there is strong evidence established against Akmad Tato and Anwar Sr., as witnesses stated that they have participated in the meetings where the massacre was allegedly being plotted.

Sajid Islam is the 42nd suspect in the Maguindanao massacre who has been granted bail.

Last year, the judge allowed 41 police officers charged for the massacre to post bail in exchange for their temporary liberty. None of the police officers have paid the amount set by the court.

Akmad Tato and Anwar Sr. are the second and third suspects whose bail petitions have been denied. Earlier, the court denied the bail petition of Chief Inspector Sukarno Dicay.

A total of 113 of the 197 suspects charged for the massacre have been arrested. Charges against the three have already been dropped.

Around a dozen other suspects – including Andal Sr. and primary accused Andal Ampatuan Jr. – have pending bail petitions.