Security tightened for Ampatuan suspects after BJMP chief gets 'prank text'

The security measures for the suspects in the 2009 Maguindanao massacre were tightened further after the head of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) received a "prank text" saying that violence could disrupt the arraignment of suspects on Thursday. Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo said he ordered the tightened security after BJMP head Gen. Director Rosendo Dial reported to him about a "prank" text. “Kagabi nag-text sa akin si Gen. Dial. Tsine-check niya kung totoong nag-text ang isang member ng Cabinet, nais makausap si Ampatuan kasi gusto tanungin sa mga ilang bagay. Prank text yan, kasi ang number na binigay di number ng member ng Cabinet," Robredo said in an interview on dwIZ radio. “Palagay ko maraming manggugulo rito kaya handa na lang," Robredo added. "Intelligence reports" On Thursday, more persons accused in the Maguindanao massacre multiple murder case were scheduled to be arraigned. On Wednesday, Justice Undersecretary Francisco Baraan III cited "intelligence reports" reaching him that the inmates plan to strike during the arraignment of two other accused individuals at a makeshift court room just below the suspects' detention cells inside the Quezon City Jail Annex Building at Camp Bagong Diwa. "Our security has been compromised... and we are really putting a premium on our security," he said on the sidelines of Wednesday's multiple murder trial at the Quezon City Hall of Justice. Baraan also reminded the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) that the regular replacement of jail warden at the Quezon City Jail Annex was already long overdue. He appealed to the BJMP to replace the current warden to ensure that security in the facility will not be compromised. Baraan has been tasked to lead the re-organized prosecution team that replaced an old one led by Assistant Chief State Prosecutor Richard Anthony Fadullon. Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said she ordered the shake-up to have better chances at securing the conviction of the massacre suspects. Meanwhile, private prosecutor Harry Roque, who represents families of 14 of the 57 massacre victims, claimed that at least three policeman suspects have requested not to be brought to the court room for fear of their security. "Ayaw nila magpababa kasi ayaw nila masali sa gulo [They did not want to be brought down from their detention cells because they did not want to get caught in the violence]," Roque said. Tighter security A separate report on Bombo Radyo on Thursday said security was beefed up at the venue of the arraignment at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City. The tighter security measures include added K-9 and Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) teams. Quezon City Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes set the arraignment of Senior Police Officer 2 Badawi Bakal and civilian volunteer organization member Nasser Esmael at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City at 9 a.m. Esmael and Bakal are among the 196 accused of 57 counts of murder for the November 23, 2009 killings in Ampatuan town in Maguindanao. At least 57 people, including more than 30 journalists, were killed in the incident. Robredo said security in the facility is already tight but admitted the prank text messages could be a cause for concern. “Talagang alerto tayo sa area na yan ... Ang problema natin marami ang mga prank text messages na lumalabas (We know our men have been alert in that facility. But such prank text messages could cause a problem)," he said. – with Mark Merueñas, VVP, GMA News