Gov’t to oppose hospital confinement of Zaldy Ampatuan

MANILA, Philippines—Suspended Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Governor Zaldy Ampatuan has asked the Quezon City Regional Trial Court that he be allowed to undergo medical checkup at a private hospital.

In his motion, Ampatuan, through counsel Redemberto Villanueva, said he was suffering from high blood pressure and diabetes.

But Assistant Regional State Prosecutor Peter Medalle said they will oppose Ampatuan’s request.

“He cannot stay at a private hospital [because] he is a high-security risk detainee,” Regional State Prosecutor Peter Medalle told reporters in a chance interview.

Zaldy Ampatuan is one of the principals accused in the Nov. 23, 2009, Maguindanao massacre.