Separate trial pressed for cops charged in Maguindanao massacre

MANILA, Philippines - The counsel of policemen accused in the Maguindanao massacre case has reiterated his appeal for a separate trial of his clients, saying they are getting depressed over the slow pace of the hearings.

Adilberto Golla Jr. said the members of the 1508th Provincial Mobile Group (PMG) indicted in the case are “under stress.”

Police Officer 2 Hernani Decipulo, who allegedly committed suicide by jumping from the rooftop of the four-story building of the Quezon City Jail Annex in Camp Bagong Diwa, was among the 15 accused policemen from the 1508th PMG.

“All of them (from the group) are stressed out... they’re suffering from depression... It’s been too long,” Golla said.

During the hearing yesterday, he reiterated to Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes his motion for a separate trial.

The accused policemen filed a motion for a separate trial last July.

Golla said that when he became counsel for the policemen in June, he advised his clients to just face the charges instead of applying as state witnesses.

He said a separate trial was necessary since the accused have different degrees of alleged participation in the crime.

“I want to help the prosecution to expedite the proceedings,” Golla said.

This developed as Private Prosecutor Nena Santos sought an independent investigation on Decipulo’s death.

Santos said the incident stressed the need to transfer the detention of prospective state witnesses.

Jail Warden Senior Inspector John Conrad Basilio, meanwhile, told The STAR that a surveillance camera would be installed on the rooftop of the Quezon City Jail to beef up the security in the area.

Basilio said several cameras were installed at the jail compound except on the top floor. He said they are also rushing the setting up of iron fences on the roof deck.

– Reinir Padua, Aie Balagtas See