Ampatuan kin, co-accused in massacre visit ailing patriarch

THE Quezon City Regional Trial Court gave relatives and co-accused of former Maguindanao Governor Andal Ampatuan Sr. two hours to visit the patriarch who has fallen into a coma after suffering a heart attack Monday evening.

Datu Anwar “Ipi” Ampatuan Sr., son, Datu Anwar Ampatuan Jr., grandson, and Akmad “Tatu” Ampatuan, nephew, were given two-hour stay at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) where Andal Sr. is confined.

In its order, the court cited the medical certificate given by Dr. Jade Jamias of the NKTI stating the critical condition of Ampatuan.

The court also granted the hospital visit request of the three co-accused in the 2009 Maguindanao massacre case for humanitarian consideration.

“In view of the critical condition of accused Andal Ampatuan Sr. as shown in the medical certificate dated July 13 and the medical update dated July 14 issued by Dr. Jade Jamias of the NKTI and for humanitarian consideration, the urgent motion is hereby granted,” the court said.