Security tightened further for Andal Ampatuan Jr.'s trial

Anticipating the hearing to last the entire day, authorities tightened security for Datu Unsay, Maguindanao mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. for his trial on the Nov. 23 Maguindanao massacre case. Radio dzBB’s Sam Nielsen reported Wednesday Supreme Court spokesman Jose Midas Marquez estimated the trial may take all day as the prosecution was to present at least two witnesses. One of the witnesses is the videographer who took video footage of the crime scene, the report said. Security was also tightened further at the Philippine National Police headquarters in Camp Crame where the trial was being held. Radio dzBB’s Benjie Liwanag Jr. reported media representatives went through extra security checks, including allowing only media representatives with IDs countersigned by the Supreme Court can enter the courtroom. Yellow metal railings were also set up at Camp Crame to slow down vehicles entering the PNP headquarters, according to a report on dzXL radio. Despite the tighter security, the mayor appeared relaxed before being brought to Camp Crame. Radio dwIZ reported Ampatuan put his hands in his pockets and nodded to some National Bureau of Investigation agents while waiting to be brought to Camp Crame before dawn Wednesday. The mayor wore a purple polo shirt and black pants. He was handcuffed and made to wear a bulletproof vest before boarding a bulletproof sport-utility vehicle. Ampatuan arrives early anew The convoy bearing Mayor Ampatuan arrived at Camp Crame at 6:18 a.m., about 15 minutes after leaving the NBI compound at 6:03 a.m. At least 20 vehicles were in the convoy. During last week’s trial, former vice mayor Rasul Sangki further implicated Ampatuan in the massacre of some 57 people, including 30 journalists, on Nov. 23 last year. The trial hearings focused on Ampatuan’s bid for bail. The mayor faces murder charges for the November massacre. - LBG, GMANews.TV