Ampatuan Sr. requests transfer to private hospital

MANILA, Philippines – The camp of Andal Ampatuan Sr. on Monday appealed to have him transferred to a private hospital from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Medical Center (formerly V. Luna).

A Radyo Inquirer 990AM report quoted Bureau of Jail Management and Penology chief, Jail Director Rosendo Dial as saying that the former governor, accused of being the mastermind of the 2009 Maguindanao massacre, has requested to be transferred to The Medical City for further medical tests.

Dial said that they have yet to discuss the appeal as Ampatuan’s doctor initially reasoned that the patient had to undergo 2D Echo at the private hospital—a medical test which he said the AFP Medical Center was also capable of providing.

The BJMP chief said that security measures would be difficult to implement if they transfer Ampatuan to a private hospital as their movements would be limited.

Ampatuan was initially confined at the Taguig Pateros District Hospital after vomiting blood on Friday but was later rushed to the AFP Medical Center. He is said to be suffering from hypertension, diabetes, skin disease and pneumonia.

Along with several other members of his family, Ampatuan has been detained since 2009, for their involvement in the Maguindanao massacre case.