Five members of the Ampatuan clan charged for the 2009 Maguindanao massacre were given court permission on Wednesday to visit their coaccused and cancer-stricken patriarch Andal Ampatuan Sr., who is reportedly comatose at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI).
Citing humanitarian reasons, Quezon City Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes granted the urgent motions filed by Andal Sr.’s sons Zaldy, Andal Jr., Anwar Sr., grandson Anwar “Ipi” Jr., and son-in-law Akmad, giving them two hours each to see the clan elder.
The 74-year-old Andal Sr. has been in the QC-based government hospital since June 5 because of liver cancer and was transferred to the intensive care unit on Monday.
Based on the latest medical records reaching the court on July 14, NKTI gastroenterologist Jade Jamias described Ampatuan to be “stuporous” and in critical condition. “He is currently on medication that supports his blood pressure and undergoing renal replacement therapy,” said Jamias, who earlier reported the patient was already on a mechanical ventilator.
Ampatuan’s lawyer, Salvador Panelo, said his client started vomiting and defecating blood Sunday and suffered a heart attack Monday morning. “Now, he’s comatose. He can still hear people [but] he’s not responsive.” The public prosecutors in the multiple murder case had posed no objections to Andal Sr.’s hospital stay.–Jaymee T. Gami