Ampatuan Sr. still in intensive care, no improvement, says military spokesman

Andal Ampatuan Sr. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Andal Ampatuan Sr., patriarch of the clan, who is facing charges for his alleged involvement in the massacre in Maguindanao in 2009, remained in the intensive care unit of a military hospital and “has not yet improved” in the last  24 hours, a spokesman said Tuesday.

Citing a statement from the V. Luna Medical Center  released Tuesday  afternoon, Colonel Arnulfo Marcelo  Burgos Jr. said that Ampatuan  was still confined with the following diagnosis: Acute respiratory failure type 1 secondary to non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema; pneumonia community acquired, high risk; chronic obstructive pulmonary  disease; hypertensive cardio-vascular disease functional Class III; Type 2 diabetes mellitus; T/C chronic alcoholic liver disease; chronic renal infection probably secondary to DM nephropathy versus hypertensive nephrosclerosis.

“In general, this means that the patient has respiratory failure and is hooked on a mechanical ventilator to stabilize his present condition,” the statement said.

Burgos added that the defense counsel of Ampatuan and hospital staff has yet to convene to discuss Ampatuan’s possible transfer, depending on the decision of the court.

Ampatuan has been detained at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City, along with family members who have been linked to the killings.

The Ampatuans and over 90 others are on trial for the massacre of 57 persons, including 31 journalists, in November 2009 in Ampatuan town, Maguindanao province.

Ampatuan was rushed to Taguig-Pateros District Hospital on Friday last week after reportedly vomiting blood. He was then transferred to the V. Luna Hospital later that day.