Andal Jr remains ‘smug’ on ‘last trip’ to Crame

Not even the hassle and the bustle of tightened security could remove the smugness from the face of Datu Unsay town mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. as he was brought to the Philippine National Police headquarters in Camp Crame for his bail hearing on Wednesday – probably the last time his presence in court is required. Ampatuan maintained a smug smile as his blood pressure was taken before he was handcuffed and whisked into the convoy, radio dzXL reported. Meanwhile, dzBB’s Carlo Mateo reported that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) indicated this could be the last time it will take Ampatuan to Camp Crame for his bail hearing. NBI Deputy Director Ruel Lasala said that starting next week, Ampatuan’s lawyers might represent him at subsequent hearings for his bail plea. But Lasala added they will remain ready to take Ampatuan to the court if it requires his presence. Ampatuan faces multiple murder charges for the massacre of at least 57 people, including 32 journalists, in Ampatuan town in Maguindanao last November 23. Security was heightened to “extraordinary alert" at the NBI since last weekend after the Department of Justice claimed receiving word of possible attempts to spring him. The mayor had been detained at the NBI since November 26. A separate report on dwIZ radio said an NBI medical team found Ampatuan’s blood pressure to be “normal" before clearing him to be brought to Camp Crame. The convoy bringing Ampatuan, who wore a purple polo shirt and denim pants, left the NBI headquarters in Manila at 6:05 a.m. and reached Camp Crame at about 6:20 a.m. Among the tighter security measures taken by the NBI were asking media not to report the position of the convoy while it headed for Camp Crame. NBI agents wielding high-powered firearms kept watch over the NBI compound, and in the convoy bringing Ampatuan to Crame. The NBI also asked media covering Ampatuan’s convoy not to describe the vehicle he was in, so any group trying to spring or attack him will not get advance information. However, the convoy took basically the same route NBI agents used in the past. Security tight at Crame Security was similarly tight at Camp Crame, with police setting up positions as early as 5 a.m., according to a report by dzBB’s Sam Nielsen. Police also tightened security for the witnesses, particularly Bulusan vice mayor Ismael Mangudadatu, who was to confront Ampatuan in court anew on Wednesday’s hearing. Mangudadatu had claimed he had received death threats. At Camp Crame, K-9 units repeatedly sniffed for bombs, explosives and other deadly weapons. - LBG/RSJ, GMANews.TV