Cop in Maguindanao massacre appeals transfer

MANILA, Philippines - A police officer who earlier expressed his intention to testify against his co-accused in the Maguindanao massacre has appealed the court’s order for his transfer to Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig City.

In a three-page motion for reconsideration released yesterday, Police Officer 1 Pia Kamidon – through his lawyer Jayson Jay Parra Ison – said the rest of the accused may have developed a feeling of animosity against him due to his intention to testify for the prosecution.

He said the prosecution panel’s “apparent indecisiveness” to use him as a state witness cannot change the fact that his co-accused “may have likewise entertained distrust and feelings of animosity and hostility towards him.”

Kamidon is at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame, where suspects who earlier expressed intention to become state witnesses are detained.

Last month, Regional Trial Court Branch 221 Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes ordered the transfer of Kamidon and Takpan Dilun to Camp Bagong Diwa as the possibility of them to be utilized as prosecution witnesses is nil.

However, the court allowed suspects Inspector Rex Diongon, Rainer Ebus, Mohamad Sangki, Esmael Canapia, and Inspector Michael Joy Macaraeg to remain in Camp Crame as they have already testified in the trials.

“To obviate occurrence of any untoward incident involving said accused, the court deems it proper that they be held where they are currently detained, separate from their other co-accused,” Solis-Reyes said.

In appealing the order, Kamidon said the fact that he is largely known to have agreed to testify against his co-accused is sufficient to invite animosity and suspicion on the part of his co-accused.

“It is not difficult to infer that a prospective witness yet to testify is at greater risk than a witness who had already testified,” he added.

Fifty-eight people, including at least 32 media practitioners, died in the Nov. 23, 2009 massacre.