7 men in Maguindanao massacre out on bail

Seven men charged with rebellion and linked to the massacre of at least 57 people in Maguindanao last November 23 have been allowed to post bail, Philippine National Police Region XII Deputy Director for Administration Felicisimo Khu said on Sunday. In a telephone interview, Khu said the seven have been temporarily out since before Christmas and had been allowed to post a bail of P200,000 each since they were not considered rebel leaders. They were Krsain Akmad Akmid Sakilan, Ibrahim Tukya Abdul Kadir, Manding Abdul Kadir, Dikay Idra Llama, Sammi Gawda Macabuat, Duca Lindungan Amban and Janill Manalao Mindo. The men had been detained at the Cotabato City Police Office Detention Center and were eligible for bail under Article 135 of the Revised Penal Code, which differentiates the penalties for rebel leaders and their followers. Last month, government prosecutors filed in Cotabato City rebellion charges against seven members of the powerful Ampatuan clan and 17 others linked to the November 23 massacre. The Revised Penal Code of the Philippines imposes a 40-year jail term on any person who promotes, maintains or heads rebellion or insurrection. It prescribes a jail term of 12-17 years for people who merely participate or execute the commands of others in a rebellion. — Carmela Lapeña, GMANews.TV