Massacre suspect in isolation due to tuberculosis

MANILA, Philippines - A suspect in the Maguindanao massacre case was transferred to an isolation facility due to tuberculosis, according to court documents obtained by The STAR.

In a letter to the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221, jail warden Senior Inspector Lloyd Gonzaga asked the court to allow Moctar Daud to be brought to the TB isolation facility of the Quezon City Jail male dormitory.

“We are afraid that the continuing stay of herein accused in our facility would… transmit his disease to other detainees,” Gonzaga said.

The suspect is suffering from multiple drug-resistant tuberculosis, according to a medical certificate submitted by Gonzaga to the court.

Daud was previously detained with other suspects at the Quezon City Jail-Annex inside Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig City.

The TB isolation facility is located at the main building of the Quezon City Jail male dormitory in Kamuning.

In an order dated Jan. 7 and released last week, Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes granted the request and ordered the transfer of the accused.

Daud, whose bail petition was denied on Thursday, has been at the isolation facility since his transfer. He is one of the nine suspects who have been brought to hospitals since last year.

Last month, suspect Maot Dumla – also known as Nhot Abdul – was also diagnosed to be suffering from congestive heart failure, community-acquired pneumonia, and tuberculosis.

Dumla was brought to the Taguig Pateros District Hospital after suffering disorientation and failure to recognize his wife and other relatives.

He was returned to Camp Bagong Diwa after his wife and sibling signed a waiver of discharge and refused to let him undergo further evaluation.

Despite being diagnosed with tuberculosis, jail officers have yet to request for Dumla’s transfer to an isolation facility.