Fiscals told to comment on threats vs massacre suspect

MANILA, Philippines - The Quezon City judge handling the Maguindanao massacre trial has ordered the prosecution panel to comment on reports that a suspect is being threatened by his co-accused in the multiple murder case.

During Friday’s hearing, Police Officer 1 Pia Kamidon testified before Regional Trial Court Branch 221 Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes over his request for hospitalization at the PNP General Hospital in Camp Crame.

Kamidon, currently detained at the Quezon City Jail-Annex (QCJA) in Camp Bagong Diwa, also asked Solis-Reyes to allow his transfer back to the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame due to threats on his life.

When sought for comment on the request, public prosecutor Olivia Torrevillas requested 10 days for them to file their written reply.

Pending the resolution of the motion, Kamidon was returned to the QCJA, where he has been detained since last year.

In a three-page very urgent motion filed last week, Kamidon’s lawyer Jason Jay Parra Ison claimed that his client has received numerous threats from his co-accused.

“His present condition… was starting to get worse as he was being threatened of physical harm by his co-accused,” Ison said.

The lawyer said his client has been suffering from severe headaches, stomachache and hypertension and asked the judge to allow him to remain at the hospital until the resolution of his request for him to be detained in Camp Crame.

Earlier, Solis-Reyes ordered the transfer of Kamidon and another suspect – Takpan Dilun – to Camp Bagong Diwa since they were not going to be used as prosecution witnesses.

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