10 cops in Maguindanao massacre seek bail

MANILA, Philippines - Ten policemen implicated in the Maguindanao massacre multiple murder case have asked the court to allow them to post bail.

The policemen from the 1508 Provincial Mobile Group of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao also asked Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes of Quezon City regional trial court branch 221, to conduct a separate trial on the information against them.

The policemen’s lawyer Adilberto Valdez Golla Jr. said his clients should be allowed to post bail, claiming the evidence of the prosecution as to their guilt is “not strong.”

The policemen are Senior Police Officer 1 Eduardo Ong; Police Officers 3 Rasid Anton and Felix Enate; Police Officers 2 Hernanie Decipulo and Saudi Pasutan; and Police Officers 1 Herich Amaba, Esprielito Lejarso, Narkouk Mascud, Arnulfo Soriano and Pia Kamidon.

“From the time they were arraigned up to this time, the accused were in jail waiting for the prosecution to present evidence as to their participation in the offense charged,” the motion stated.

“A motion for separate trial is the best way to expedite the proceedings in the case by invoking their Constitutional rights of speedy trial and speedy disposition of the case,” it added.