Zaldy’s transfer to NBP infirmary up to BuCor

MANILA, Philippines — The decision to transfer Maguindanao massacre convict Zaldy Ampatuan to the infirmary of the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) should be left to the discretion of the director of the Bureau of Correction (BuCor), according to government prosecutors.

The panel of prosecutors said Ampatuan “is barking up the wrong tree” when his lawyers filed his request for transfer to the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221, which handled the massacre trial.

“Being now a felon and no longer a mere detention prisoner, Datu Zaldy Ampatuan is now under the authority of the director (of the) BuCor,” read the four-page comment submitted to the court this week.

“Thus, any request for his transfer to the NBP infirmary or hospital should now be directed to him (BuCor director) and not anymore to this court,” it added.

The prosecutors noted that resident physicians of the NBP conduct thorough assessment and diagnosis of all newly committed convicts like Ampatuan “and could best decide on the propriety of his plea for transfer to the NBP infirmary.”

Ampatuan, a former governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, was among the 28 people convicted of 57 counts of murder in connection with the Nov. 23, 2009 Maguindanao massacre.

A day after the promulgation of judgment on Dec. 19, his lawyers filed a motion seeking his immediate transfer to the NBP infirmary to receive therapy, rehabilitation and medication prescribed by his doctors.

Prior to the promulgation, Ampatuan was confined almost for two months at the Makati Medical Center after losing consciousness in late October.

Medical reports submitted to the court later showed that he suffered a stroke, which resulted in a paralyzed left arm and difficulty in walking.

Another fugitive caught

Meanwhile, another suspect in the Maguindanao massacre was caught by police in Shariff Aguak on Thursday.

Gambayan Kasim, alias Lori Alip, 47, was served an arrest warrant in Barangay Timbangan. He was carrying a grenade when he was arrested, according to Brig. Gen. Marni Marcos, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao police chief.

Kasim’s companion, Nas Guiomla, was killed when he reportedly shot it out with police officers. A .45 caliber pistol and 13 sachets said to contain methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu were recovered from Guiomla.  – With Romina Cabrera, John Unson