DILG vows tight watch on Ampatuans in jail

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) assured that there will be spot visits inside the Quezon City Jail Annex at Camp Bagong Diwa to make sure that the Ampatuans, who are the principal accused in the Maguindanao massacre, are not given special treatment.

“[DILG] Secretary Jess Robredo assured me that there will be spot visits from time to time,” Maguindanao Governor Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu said in an interview Wednesday.

Last week, Mangudadatu  showed photos to the media of alleged special treatment being accorded the Ampatuans while inside the maximum security prison. These included shots of  Andal Ampatuan Sr. using  a cellular phone while receiving visitors. He was likewise accompanied in some of the photos by a retinue that included his personal masseur and cook.

Mangadudatu also claimed that Andal Ampatuan Jr. was able to play basketball with the guards of the prison, while the clan patriarch was allegedly spotted eating at the Hotel Sofitel in Manila.

Robredo had relieved Bureau of Jail Management and Protection (BJMP) warden Chief Inspector Glennford Valdepeñas and 20 other jail officers following an incident last May 27 when members of the prosecution team were barred from inspecting the Ampatuan jail, while the Ampatuan’s defense counsel was seen casually roaming the BJMP premises. Carissa Caraig (trainee)