Fiscals seek hold departure order for Ampatuan son

MANILA, Philippines - The prosecutors handling the Maguindanao massacre trial sought the issuance of a hold departure order against a son of former Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan Sr. after he was allowed to post bail in connection with the multiple murder case.

In a four-page motion filed yesterday, the panel led by city prosecutor Archimedes Manabat said Sajid Islam Ampatuan – who has yet to post the P11.6 million bail set by the court – should be considered a flight risk due to his previous position as officer-in-charge governor of Maguindanao.

“With the sheer magnitude of the charges against him, it should come as no surprise that accused Sajid would eventually jump bail,” the prosecutors said.

“The state is obliged to undertake all necessary precautions to ensure proper dispensation of justice and consequently, guarantee that accused Sajid be precluded from evading prosecution for these cases,” they added.

The motion was filed even as the prosecution panel’s appeal to the order granting the bail is pending resolution.

Earlier this month, Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221 Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes granted the bail petition of Sajid Islam.

She also denied the bail pleas of Anwar Ampatuan Sr. and Akmad “Tato” Ampatuan, son and son-in-law of the clan patriarch.

Citing testimonies of witnesses, Solis-Reyes noted that the suspect was merely present in the meetings but did not utter any word while the massacre was reportedly being planned.

Prosecutors, however, urged the judge to take a second look and consider Sajid Islam’s government position at the time of the massacre.

“The use of the backhoe owned by the provincial government of Maguindanao, then headed by accused Sajid… was not a mere coincidental occurrence, but a vital part of the conspiracy that was hatched during the meetings attended by accused,” said the prosecutors.

The prosecutors also noted that Sajid Islam, as OIC governor, has influenced the strategic deployment of the police force of Maguindanao prior to the massacre.

Solis-Reyes said Sajid Islam can only post bail if she rules in favor of the suspect on the motion for reconsideration.