Ampatuan Jr.'s bail petition hearing resumes
MANILA, Philippines - The hearing on Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr.'s petition for bail resumes at the Philippine National Police (PNP) headquarters in Camp Crame on Wednesday morning.
Vice Mayor Esmael "Toto" Mangudadatu, husband and brother of 3 of the 57 massacred people in Ampatuan, Maguindanao last Nov. 23, 2009, was scheduled for cross examination during the hearing at a makeshift court in Camp Crame.
After Mangudadatu, the prosecution is expected to present a doctor as another witness against the bail petition of Ampatuan Jr., the prime suspect in the massacre.
Ampatuan Jr. was again transported to Camp Crame by a joint convoy of the PNP and the National Bureau of Investigation. He arrived in Camp Crame around 6:20 a.m..
On Tuesday, the rebellion cases filed against former Maguindanao Governor Andal Ampatuan Sr. and 4 other members of his clan have been raffled to a retiring Quezon City judge.
The Ampatuans' rebellion charges were raffled to Judge Vicencio Baclig of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 77.
Supreme Court Administrator Midas Marquez, who witnessed the raffle at the local court, said he is confident that the veteran judge would be able to credibly handle the case.
Baclig, 79, is retiring next year.
The judge has yet to schedule an arraignment for the Ampatuans.
Ampatuan Sr.'s sons, suspended regional governor Zaldy Ampatuan, and suspended provincial governor Sajid Ampatuan have also been charged with rebellion for allegedly leading a foiled armed uprising to prevent policemen from arresting suspects in the massacre of 57 people in Ampatuan town last Nov. 23, 2009.
The Ampatuans are being held in separate detention facilities in Mindanao.
Deputy Director General Jefferson Soriano of the Philippine National Police said that they are planning to transfer the Ampatuans to Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig.
Soriano said the suspects may be transferred before the rebellion case hearings.
