The Supreme Court has approved the transfer of several policemen implicated in the infamous Maguindanao massacre from a detention facility in Bicutan, Taguig, to the national police’s main headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City.
Court administrator Jose Midas Marquez, who has jurisdiction over all trial courts nationwide, approved the request on Tuesday after the Philippine National Police (PNP) made no objection to the transfer through a letter he received from deputy director general Jefferson Soriano.
“It is our firm belief that the continued detention of the prospective prosecution witnesses at the [Taguig] jail facility in close proximity with the other accused … exposing them to physical harm, psychological pressure and undue influence that may adversely affect their determination and resolve to testify truthfully," Soriano said.
Justice Secretary Leila de Lima made the request to protect these policemen, some of whom are being considered to become state witnesses.
She made the request in the wake of the killing and bribing of some prospective witnesses against members of the powerful Ampatuan clan, the principal suspects in the November 23 carnage that left 57 people dead in Ampatuan town, Maguindanao.
Some members of the Ampatuan family are also detained at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) detention facility in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig.
Among those to be transferred were Inspector Sukarno Dicay, SPO1 Eduardo Ong, PO3 Felix Enate, Jr., PO3 Anton Rasid, PO3 Abdulgani Abibudin, PO2 Saudi Pasutan, PO2 Nana Hamad, PO2 Saudiar Ulah, PO2 Hernani Saulong Decupido, Jr., PO1 Esmael Guialal, PO1 Abdullah Baguadatu, PO1 Esprielito Lejarso, PO1 Herich Amaba, and PO1 Michael Madsig, who were all previously assigned to Maguindanao.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) had pointed out that SPO2 Badawi Bakal, one of the co-accused, asked that he be transferred to another facility after receiving direct threat from the Ampatuans last April 18 at around 10 a.m. inside the Taguig jail. - KBK
