7 massacre suspects seek bail for 58th murder charge

MANILA, Philippines - Seven suspects in the 2009 Maguindanao massacre, including three members of the Ampatuan clan, have filed motions for bail in connection with murder charge filed for the alleged death of a 58th victim.

In a four-page motion released yesterday, suspects Sajid Islam Ampatuan, Anwar Ampatuan Sr. and Akmad “Tato” Ampatuan informed the court handling the multiple murder case that they want to avail themselves of their right to post bail.

“Accused had been baselessly implicated in this and related cases even when there is no evidence on record showing that they participated in the so-called Maguindanao massacre on Nov. 23, 2009,” read the motion signed by their lawyer, Paris Real.

Real also filed before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221 a similar motion for suspects Nicomedes Tolentino, Nasser Esmael, Bulatukan Omar Kayansang, and Datutulon Malaguial Esmail.

The new motion for bail by the seven suspects came months after the filing of the 58th murder charge for the alleged death of photojournalist Reynaldo Momay, whose remains were never found. A team led by a forensic expert from the Commission on Human Rights recovered parts of the photojournalist’s supposed dentures.

Momay’s daughter, Reynafe, said her father had called a colleague before the massacre and said he was in a van together with other media practitioners.

Earlier, former Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan Sr. and his sons Zaldy and Andal Jr. have filed their bail petitions before the court through their lawyer, Philip Sigfrid Fortun.

Aside from Akmad and Sajid Islam, the other suspects who submitted motions for bail have already been arraigned for all of the 58 counts of murder. They pleaded not guilty.

More than a dozen arrested suspects have yet to be arraigned for the 58th murder charge as their respective motions have yet to be resolved.