Alleged backhoe operator seeks police protection

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Bong Andal, the alleged backhoe operator in the infamous 2009 Maguindanao massacre, has sought protection from the police.

In a statement, the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) said Andal, who was arrested recently, made the request while waiting for the result of his application for the witness protection program from Department of Justice.

The CIDG said Andal wrote CIDG chief, Director Samuel Pagdilao Jr., requesting also that his family be given the same protection.

The prosecution panel raised before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221 earlier Wednesday issues concerning the safety of Andal, arguing that he be committed at the PNP custodial center or at the CIDG facility in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

Andal, in his statement made before his lawyer, said he is willing to provide important testimonies regarding the November 23, 2009 incident in Barangay (village) Salma where 58 people were killed including 32 journalists and media workers.

He allegedly operated the backhoe which buried almost half of the massacre victims, CIDG said.