3 more massacre suspects arraigned

MANILA, Philippines -  Three more suspects, including a police colonel, in the three-year-old Maguindanao massacre case were arraigned yesterday at the Quezon City Jail Annex at Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig City.

Superintendent Bahnarin Kamaong, Police Officer 1 Sandy Sabang and Theng Sali alias Abdullah Hamid Abdulkahar pleaded not guilty to multiple murder charges filed against them.

The three were among 197 people tagged in the massacre, which claimed the lives of 58 people, including 32 media practitioners.

Meanwhile, the arraignment of accused Dexson Saptula alias Rene Matuti, Norhato Kamino alias Alfeche Banding, and Abedin Alamada alias Kumander Bedi were postponed as they have yet to be brought to the QC jail annex.

The prosecution asked Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes to order the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Region 12 to explain why they should not be cited for contempt.

Last week, Solis-Reyes ordered the QC Annex jail warden to take custody of the suspects.

Despite the commitment order issued by the court, the three have yet to be flown to Manila. Their arraignment was reset to March 6.         – Janvic Mateo, Mike Frialde