MANILA, Philippines -- Datu Unsay mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr, the prime suspect in the Maguindanao massacre, reportedly had a restless Saturday night at the detention facility of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
An NBI official said Ampatuan Jr. later tried to sleep outside his cell, on a bench, claiming that it was hot inside his cell and that he was afraid of ghosts.
NBI counter terrorism unit chief Ric Diaz, who has been designated spokesman on matters relating to Ampatuan’s detention, said the mayor told jail guards of his discomfort and fear of ghosts.
Diaz, however, said Ampatuan did not say if he, in fact, experienced a haunting or paranormal sighting.
Ampatuan, according to Diaz, shares his cell with 17 other inmates charged with various crimes.
Diaz told the Inquirer that the NBI had allowed Ampatuan some “necessities,” such as an electric fan and a comforter. Jail guards had observed that the mayor usually hid inside his comforter each time he slept.
The NBI official likewise stressed that an NBI medico-legal officer, Dr. Ronald Baluyot, said there was no need to transfer the mayor to a hospital.
“Dr. Baluyot examined him last night (Saturday night) when he complained of difficulty in breathing. The doctor assured that Ampatuan is healthy so there is no need for his transfer to a hospital,” Diaz stressed.
He further emphasized that, based on the medico-legal division’s findings, although Ampatuan had a history of asthma, the illness “has not manifested.”
“The procedure, if a detainee is seeking transfer to a hospital, is for the medico-legal division to examine him and recommend that transfer. In this case, Dr. Baluyot found that there would be no problem if Ampatuan remained at the jail,” Diaz told the Inquirer.
Ampatuan earlier tested negative for narcotics but tested positive for the tranquilizer or sleeping aid drug Rivotril.
Power was cut off Sunday morning at the NBI, as the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) conducted routine maintenance along UN Avenue, which entails the replacement of defective posts.
