Court admits evidence vs Zaldy’s bail plea

MANILA, Philippines - The Quezon City court handling the Maguindanao massacre trial has ruled to admit hundreds of pieces of evidence against the bail petition of former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao governor Zaldy Ampatuan.

In a 38-page order released to the media yesterday, Regional Trial Court Branch 221 Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes said the court will admit over 300 exhibits and testimonies included in the Aug. 12, 2013 formal offer of evidence by the prosecution panel in opposition to the bail plea of Zaldy.

Last week, the court issued a similar ruling in connection with the formal offer of evidence against the bail petition of his father, Andal Sr., and 11 other accused.

Like in the previous ruling, Solis-Reyes ruled to admit the affidavit-complaint of former Buluan vice mayor and now Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu. His wife, Genalyn, and relatives were among the 58 people, 32 of whom were media practitioners, who died in the Nov. 23, 2009 massacre.

Also admitted as evidence were sworn statements of various witnesses, as well as the medico-legal reports and autopsy pictures.

The judge also ruled to admit various records from telecommunications companies and testimonies of their representatives.

The court likewise admitted the testimonies of former Ampatuan municipality vice mayor Rasul Sangki, suspects-turned-state witnesses Sukarno Badal and Esmael Canapia, and eyewitnesses Noh Akil, Lakmodin Saliao and Esmail Amil Enog.