Andal Sr. vomits blood, rushed to hospital

MANILA, Philippines - Former Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan Sr., one of the primary accused in the massacre of 57 persons in November 2009, was rushed to the hospital yesterday after vomiting blood, a top official of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) said.

Ampatuan, who is detained at the Quezon City Jail annex in Bicutan, Taguig for allegedly masterminding the massacre, was taken to the Taguig-Pateros Hospital at around 1:20 p.m. yesterday by members of the BJMP.

But due to limited medical facilities at the hospital, BJMP Director Rosendo Dial told The STAR that Ampatuan was transferred to the Armed Forces of the Philippines Medical Center (AFPMC) in Quezon City about two hours later.

“For several days, Ampatuan had been staying at the BJMP infirmary because of fever and high blood pressure. But (yesterday), he started vomiting blood, (experien­cing) difficulty in breathing and high fever, so our medical personnel were forced to bring him to the nearest hospital,” Dial said.

Ampatuan has been diagnosed with diabetes, skin diseases, and other illnesses since he was detained shortly after the 2009 massacre.

As a matter of procedure, Dial said the BJMP has coordinated with the Philippine National Police to beef up security measures for Ampatuan.

He said the BJMP will coordinate with the doctors to determine the medical status of Ampatuan.

Meanwhile, Cmdr. Jerome Rommel Ochoco, chief information officer of the AFPMC, said they were not informed in advance that Ampatuan would be admitted to the military hospital. He said Ampatuan and his doctors arrived at around 4:30 p.m. and are still observing him as of last night to determine whether he should be confined at the AFPMC.