Massacre suspect seeks hospitalization

MANILA, Philippines - A massacre suspect who earlier testified against some of his co-accused in the Maguindanao massacre trial is seeking hospitalization due to abdominal pains.

In a two-page urgent motion filed last week, Inspector Michael Joy Macaraeg  – through his lawyer Aristotle Fayre – asked Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221 Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes to allow him to be brought outside his detention facility for medical examination.

Macaraeg, who is detained at the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center in Camp Crame in Quezon City, said he is suffering from aches in his lower left abdomen and that the first aid medication given to him was ineffective.

“Considering that the facility in which accused is presently detained lacks or unequipped with proper medical equipment or facility, (there is a) need for urgent medical check-up outside at the nearest government hospital where medical facilities are complete,” said Fayre.

Fayre also asked Solis-Reyes to allow his client to be confined at the hospital if necessary.

Acting on the motion, the judge ordered the physician of the PNP Custodial Center to immediately conduct a medical examination on Macaraeg and submit to the court a certification as to the necessity of transferring him to the nearest government hospital.

Macaraeg earlier testified against his co-accused, but reports said the prosecution panel later decided not to pursue his bid to become a state witness.

The court, however, allowed him to remain in Camp Crame instead of being transferred to Camp Bagong Diwa, where most of the accused are detained, as the latter may have developed a feeling of animosity against him due to his testimony.