Ampatuan boy can’t leave RP — Court

DAVAO CITY — The Regional Trial Court here has issued a hold-departure order covering Mohamad Bahnarin Ampatuan while he is still on trial for the death of a son of a Davao City businessman.

The 19-year-old Ampatuan, the grandson of Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan, is suspected of killing Carlo Asistido, 25 in a melee at the Venue Entertainment Center here last July 18.

RTC Branch 33 Judge Wenceslao Ibabao directed last Friday the Bureau of Immigration to put the young Ampatuan’s name in the hold-departure list.

The court early this month granted Ampatuan temporary liberty after posting bail of P500,000 following the court’s ruling that there was no sufficient evidence to warrant the charges of murder and lowered the charge to homicide. RTC Executive Judge Virginia Europa granted Ampatuan bail, ruling that the prosecution failed to establish treachery, an essential element of murder.

Although Ampatuan was granted bail, he was also not allowed to go out of the territorial jurisdiction of Davao City unless allowed by the court. He was also ordered to appear before the court every 15th day of the month.

The hold order was upon the request of the prosecution panel for fear that Ampatuan might flee to escape the murder charges that Asistido’s lawyers are hoping the court would review and reconsider. The prosecution lawyers stressed during the bail hearing that the charge of homicide might pave the way for the young suspect to have a ‘strong desire for flight.’ — Edith Regalado