QC court denies Ampatuan grandson’s request for aircon in cell

The Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221 denied the request of an Ampatuan scion to bring a portable air conditioner inside his cell for medical purposes.

Anwar Ampatuan Jr, grandson of the late Maguindanao Governor Andal Ampatuan, Sr., has asked the court to allow him to bring a portable air conditioner inside his detention cell at the Quezon City Jail Annex in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City.

The young Ampatuan claimed he is suffering from shortness of breath and skin allergies.

His motion added that due to the accused’s physical condition and the current temperature inside the jail, the shortness of breath has become more frequent and so with the skin flare-ups.

”To prevent a more severe reaction on the skin of the accused which can cause an outbreak and to alleviate the breathing difficulties, it is humbly requested from this Court to allow the accused to bring in a portable air [conditioning unit] to his detention cell,” the motion stated.

The request, however was denied last April 25, prompting the filing of a motion for reconsideration.

In the June 13 order signed by Judge Genie Gapas-Agbada, the court denied the motion for reconsideration for failure to submit evidence to prove his claim.

“He failed to submit a medical certification to validate his claim that he is suffering from shortness of breath and skin allergies,” the court said.

“Considering that still no medical certificate was attached to the motion for reconsideration and considering that no new substantial argument was raised…the court denies the motion,” the court added.

Anwar is among the 198 charged with 58 counts of murder in connection with the death of 58 people including 32 journalists last Nov. 23, 2009. CDG/rga

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