Maguindano massacre suspects falling ill in jail

MANILA, Philippines - Several of the accused in the Maguindanao massacre trial have gotten sick while in detention at the Quezon City Jail-Annex (QCJA) inside Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig City.

Court documents obtained by The STAR showed at least nine of the accused, including former Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan Sr., have been brought to hospitals due to a number of illnesses since last year.

The 74-year-old Ampatuan was brought to the Taguig-Pateros District Hospital in November to undergo check-up after experiencing various illnesses, including swelling of his body.

His lawyer, J. Ricardo Moreño, said the Ampatuan patriarch is suffering from chest and abdominal pains in addition to apparent swelling.

Earlier this month, suspect Maot Dumla – also known as Nhot Abdul – was brought to the same hospital and was diagnosed to be suffering from congestive heart failure, pneumonia and tuberculosis.

Dumla was brought to the hospital after suffering disorientation and failure to recognize his wife and other relatives.

He was returned to Camp Bagong Diwa after his wife and sibling signed a waiver of discharge and refused to let him undergo further evaluation.

Another accused, Police Officer 1 Pia Kamidon, is set to be brought to the Philippine General Hospital to undergo medical examination.

Kamidon, who claimed to have received threats from his co-accused, was brought to the QCJA infirmary in December due to severe headaches, stomachache and hypertension.

His request to be confined at the PNP General Hospital in Camp Crame is currently pending resolution before Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221.