Kin of massacre victims oppose accused transfer

Relatives of 26 Maguindanao massacre victims have opposed a bid to transfer three accused who were not admitted as state witnesses to join the other accused in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.

In a motion, the families, including Maguindanao governor Esmael Mangundadatu protested the sought-after transfer of Mohammad Sangki, Police Officer 1 Rainier Ebus and Inspector Rex Ariel Diongon.

The three had offered to testify against several members of the Ampatuan clan, the suspected masterminds of the massacre of 57 people in Maguindanao in 2009.

Lawyers of Andal Ampatuan Jr., and other clan members detained at Camp Bagond Diwa had asked Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes of Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221 to order the transfer of the three from Camp Crame to Camp Bagong Diwa.

In a July 29 omnibus order, the court denied the prosecution’s motion to drop the three from the charge sheet and accept them as state witnesses.

It was this order that was the basis of the defense’s bid to have Diongon et al transferred from Camp Crame to Camp Bagong Diwa where the other accused, including Andal Ampatuan Jr, are held.

Nena Santos, a lawyer representing the families of 26 victims, said the prosecution still has 15 days to ask the court to reconsider its decision.