MANILA, Philippines ? Security personnel of the main headquarters of the Philippine National Police in Quezon City went on full alert Monday, a day before the high-profile multiple murder trial of Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. for the massacre of at least 57 people in Maguindanao province last November 23.
Senior Superintendent Gordon Descanzo, deputy chief of the Headquarters Support Services in-charge of security of Camp Crame, told reporters that all of their 360 police personnel will be deployed in and around the police camp on Tuesday to prevent any ?untoward incidents.?
Apart from this, a total of 36 security personnel will be deployed inside the Police Non-Commissioned Officers? Club where the trial will be held.
The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) is expected to submit a report either late Monday or Tuesday of the results of its investigation on reports that the members of the Ampatuan clan detained in Camp Fermin Lira in General Santos City were being given special treatment.
The CIDG earlier said that police officials found liable to have provided the Ampatuans special treatment face administrative sanctions, including administrative relief.
Quezon City regional trial court branch 221 Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes will preside over the trial and several motions are expected to be discussed, including the motion for bail.
Descanzo said that of the number, 30 will be from the PNP and six will be from the National Bureau of Investigation. All security personnel inside the court room should be in proper uniform and unarmed.
Descanzo said police are bracing for a possible confrontation between the Ampatuans and the Mangudadatus as they face off on Tuesday.
He said the two families would be seated in separate rows spanning at least a meter apart and security personnel would be strictly guarding them to avoid physical or even verbal confrontation.
The 600 square meter makeshift court room can seat some 200 people.
Supreme Court spokesperson Atty. Midas Marquez said that only 30 accredited media, close relatives and counsels of complainants and defendants would be allowed inside the court room.
?I am asking for everyone?s cooperation. We are doing this for everyone?s sake, we?re not doing this for us, we?re doing this for everyone?s sake: for the accused to have a fair trial and for media to be able to access the hearing. So let us please coordinate and cooperate with one another,? Marquez said in a press conference.
Security will be tight inside the court room as well.
Media would have to pass through three ?stations? for security check and proper verification of identification. Only one reporter from each media outfit is allowed inside the court room. No cellular phones, recorders, and other devices are allowed inside the court room, Marquez said.
Other attendees of the hearing are also required to surrender their mobile phones and other recording devices before the hearing.
?For security reasons, registration shall be required for every hearing. The members of the media and the public shall surrender all their cellular phones and other personal and electronic recording devices upon registration. So I would suggest you refrain from bringing your cellular phones with you as you enter,? Marquez said.
Since Monday morning, a portion of Camp Crame, particularly in front of the PNCO Club House has been closed to traffic.
A portion of Paulino Street has been closed and Descanzo said the PNP will be strictly enforcing the ?no ID, no entry? policy for civilians entering the police camp.
Live coverage of the trial was prohibited and there will also be no live feed of the trial outside the court room, Marquez said.
