Cop in Maguindanao massacre case files bail petition

MANILA, Philippines—Claiming that evidence linking him to the 2009 Maguindanao massacre is weak, a police official indicted for the crime has asked Quezon City court to allow him to post bail for his temporary freedom.

Chief Inspector Sucarno Dicay lodged a petition for bail before Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes of Regional Trial Court Branch 221 in sought permission to post bail for murder, a non-bailable offense.

Dicay, formerly assigned to Maguindanao, is one of many policemen charged with multiple murder for the deaths of 57 people on Nov. 23, 2009, in Ampatuan town in that province.

“The evidence of guilt against herein accused is not strong. Hence accused is entitled to post bail for his provisional liberty,” part of the pleading, dated November 9, read.

The massacre is believed to have been masterminded by the Ampatuan clan, led by primary accused Andal Ampatuan Jr.

Andal Jr. himself and other members of his family have asked the court permission to post bail, but their petitions are still being heard and have not yet been resolved.

Several policemen, soldiers, civilian volunteers and Ampatuan clan members have been charged for the massacre.

Out of the 196 charged for the crime, less than 100 have been arrested and are currently detained either at the Metro Manila District Jail in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City, or at the Philippine National Police’s custodial center in Camp Crame.