More massacre bail pleas denied

MANILA, Philippines - The Quezon City judge handling the Maguindanao massacre trial has denied the bail petitions of 11 civilian volunteer organization members who were charged with multiple murder in connection with the Nov. 23, 2009 bloodbath.

In a 12-page resolution, Regional Trial Court Branch 221 Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes said the prosecution panel was able to present strong evidence that would warrant the continued detention of the suspects.

Those who were not allowed to post bail are Armando Ambalgan, Misuari Sinsuat Ampatuan, Mohades Ampatuan, Salik Bangkulat, Taya Bangkulat, Macton Bilungan, Mohamad Datumanong, Moactur Daud, Nasser Esmael, Sonny Pindi and Salipada Tampogao.

Solis-Reyes, however, granted the bail petition of suspect Datutuhon Esmael due to lack of witnesses who identified him as among those who were present at the crime scene.

The judge set his bail at P200,000 for each of the 58 cases, or a total of P11.6 million.

In her order, the judge noted that prosecution witnesses have pointed at the 11 accused as among those who manned the checkpoints along the road from Isulan going to Shariff Aguak.

Suspect-turned-state witness Sukarno Badal earlier testified that the checkpoints were set up to block the convoy of then Buluan vice governor and now Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu.

A total of 58 people, including 32 media practitioners, were killed in the massacre.