Andal Jr, prosecutors arrive early for 2nd trial proceedings at Crame

Datu Unsay town mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., a key suspect in last year's Maguindanao massacre, arrived early again at the Philippine National Police (PNP) headquarters in Camp Crame Wednesday for his second trial proceedings. Private prosecutors in the case also arrived early, bringing with them the widow of one of the journalists killed in the November 23 massacre in Ampatuan town. "Ang prosecution ay magpapatuloy sa pagprisinta ng testigo upang ipakita na malakas ang ebidensya laban sa pagpiyansa ni Andal (The prosecution will continue presenting witnesses to show why Andal Jr. should not be granted a chance to post bail)," lawyer Pete Principe said in an interview on dzBB radio. Wednesday's court proceedings was to tackle Ampatuan's petition for bail. The mayor faces multiple murder charges for the massacre. Principe brought with him Karen Araneta from Maguindanao. Karen is the widow of reporter Henry Araneta of dzRH, one of the journalists killed in the massacre. At least 30 of the 57 killed in the November 23 bloodbath were journalists. Principe said Mrs. Araneta can testify that Henry sent her a text message shortly before the massacre, that he feared for his life because the local military did not provide them security. Other early birds at the trial were Supreme Court spokesman Jose Midas Marquez and Buluan, Maguindanao Vice Mayor Ismael Mangudadatu, who lost his wife Genalyn in the mass slaughter. Ampatuan's 15-minute trip Radio dzBB's Carlo Mateo reported that Ampatuan, in a tightly secured convoy, arrived at Camp Crame at 6:19 a.m., 15 minutes after leaving the National Bureau of Investigation compound in Manila. The 15-minute trip was half the 30-minute trip from the NBI compound to Camp Crame last week. Ampatuan was handcuffed and made to wear a bulletproof vest before being whisked on a bulletproof sport-utility vehicle en route to PNP headquarters in Camp Crame. Motorcycle-riding police, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) teams and NBI agents secured the convoy, which took the same route as for the first hearing last week. At least 80 heavily armed NBI agents secured the convoy, while traffic police were stationed at key points to clear of the way. Before being brought to Camp Crame, Ampatuan - wearing a white polo shirt and black pants - was seen tapping his feet on the cement floor, a report on dwIZ radio said. He repeatedly looked at his wristwatch while a medical team checked his condition. He did not talk to media representatives. Media still 'restricted' Despite media groups' clamor to be allowed to cover the court proceedings, security remained tight at Camp Crame, with media representatives still "restricted." Media representatives going into the courtroom were not allowed to bring in electronic items, while K-9 units beefed up security checks, according to dzBB's Sam Nielsen. - LBG/RSJ, GMANews.TV