Massacre suspect gets threats from co-accused

MANILA, Philippines - A police officer charged in connection with the Maguindanao massacre is claiming he has received numerous threats from his co-accused in the multiple murder case.

In a three-page “very urgent” motion filed yesterday, Police Officer 1 Pia Kamidon’s condition “was starting to get worse as he was being threatened with physical harm by his co-accused” since his transfer to the Quezon City Jail-Annex (QCJA) in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City last year, according to lawyer Jayson Jay Parra Ison.

“Last Dec. 21, Kamidon was brought to the infirmary inside QCJA due to severe hypertension. He remained there until Dec. 26,” he added.

Kamidon earlier expressed his intention to become a state witness and testify against his co-accused.

Ison said his client has been suffering from severe headaches, stomachache and hypertension and asked Regional Trial Court Branch 221 Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes to allow his confinement at the Philippine National Police (PNP) General Hospital in Camp Crame.

Ison asked the judge to allow his client to remain at the hospital until the resolution of his request for him to be returned to the PNP Custodial Center.

Earlier, Solis-Reyes ordered the transfer of Kamidon and another suspect – Takpan Dilun – to Camp Bagong Diwa after government prosecutors said they will not be used as prosecution witnesses.

In appealing the order, Kamidon said the fact that he is largely known to have agreed to testify against his co-accused is enough to invite animosity and suspicion on the part of his co-accused.

His appeal was denied by the court, resulting in his transfer to Camp Bagong Diwa last March.

Kamidon was among those who are allowed by the court to file bail. However, Ison noted that his client does not have the means to post the P11.6-million bail set by the court.