NUJP slams decision to grant bail to Maguindanao massacre suspect

Maguindanao massacre carnage site in Barangay Salman, Ampatuan town in Maguindanao. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines expressed disgust at the decision to grant bail to Sajid Islam Ampatuan, who is accused of taking part in the Maguindanao massacre in 2009.

Sajid Islam is charged with multiple murder in connection with the country’s most dreadful political killing in recent memory.

“The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines is appalled at the decision to grant bail to Sajid Islam Ampatuan, one of those accused of the November 23, 2009 Ampatuan massacre and son of clan patriarch Andal Sr.,” in a statement released by the union on Sunday headed by its chairperson Rowena Paraan.

“While we may understand last year’s grant of bail to 41 policemen accused of the slaughter that claimed the lives of 58 persons, including 32 of our colleagues, we find it incredulous that a key member of the clan whose presence at the meetings during which the massacre was planned has been established could be accorded the same privilege,” the statement read.

The union also found it absurd that Sajid Islam had no involvement in the “planning” and “execution” of the murders.

“It is stretching credulity to think that Sajid Islam, who was then acting Maguindanao governor, had absolutely no participation in the planning and execution of what was obviously a major operation in his domain, involving a veritable army of retainers and police personnel.”

The NUJP also blasted the P11.6 million bail required of Sajid Islam.

“Given the vast resources, much of it ill-gotten, amassed by the Ampatuans during their decade of almost absolute rule over Maguindanao province, the bail of 11.6 million, or P200,000 for each of the 58 counts of murder, required of Sajid Islam is peanuts to the family,” the group said.

Regional Trial Court Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes awarded the bail to Sajid Islam on Saturday.

“But what is utterly dismaying is Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes’ observation that the prosecution panel failed to establish strong enough evidence to ensure Sajid Islam’s continued detention over the course of the trial” the statement said.

“This can only mean that those tasked and, more important, pledged to ensure justice for the victims of the worst incident of electoral violence in the country’s recent history and the single deadliest attack on the press ever, have betrayed their mandate.”

The union also urged Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, who oversees the Maguindanao Massacre case, “to make good on her word.”

“We demand that Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, who has staked the title she now holds on the successful prosecution of the killers, to make good on her word.” Mark Giongco