Zaldy Ampatuan still in hospital as massacre ruling looms

FILE: Maguindanao massacre site in Barangay Salman, Ampatuan, Maguindanao (PCOO file photo)

MANILA — Less than a month before the deadline of the promulgation of the Maguindanao massacre case, one of the accused, former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) governor Zaldy Ampatuan remains at a hospital in Makati City.

“Respectfully, be informed that the accused PDL (person deprived of liberty) is still confined at the Makati Medical Center as previously informed thru letter before the Honorable Court dated 22 October 2019,” Jail Superintendent Warden Jhon D.

Montero of the Quezon City Jail said in a letter dated November 19 to Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221 Judge Jocelyn A. Solis-Reyes.

Montero said Ampatuan had been in the Intensive Care Unit for one week from October 22 to October 29 before he was transferred to a regular room on the afternoon of October 29.

Montero, quoting attending physician Tanya Perez, said the diagnosis of Ampatuan is “acute infarct, right frontotempoproparietal cortical-subcortical areas; hypertension, diabetes mellitus, chronic atrial fibrillation”.

The letter noted that Ampatuan is “still confined with continuous physical therapy and occupational therapy for plegic left arm.”

Earlier this month, the Supreme Court (SC) granted the request of Solis-Reyes for more time to come up with a decision.

Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta said the court considered the huge volume of evidence and parties in the case in giving a 30-day extension to Solis-Reyes.

Under court rules, all trial courts should promulgate their decision within the 90-day period after the case has been submitted for decision.

The case has been submitted for decision on August 22 which means the deadline for its promulgation is on November 20, three days before the massacre’s 10th anniversary on November 23.

The Quezon City court now has until December 20 to decide the case.

The attack resulted in the death of 58 people, including 32 journalists and media workers, the single worst peace-time incident involving the killing of newsmen.

Other victims were family members and supporters of the Ampatuan clan’s political foe, Esmael Mangudadatu.