Andal Sr. faking ailment, Mangudadatu says

The prosecution in the Maguindanao massacre case on Wednesday cast doubts on the timing of prime suspect Andal Ampatuan Sr.’s request to be examined by a physician supposedly for his aching leg and foot. Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu, who lost his wife and two sisters in the November 2009 massacre, said he does not believe Andal Sr.’s claim that his right foot and leg are swollen due to his prostate ailment. “Palabas lang lahat iyan (It’s all for show)," said Mangudadatu. Aside from his wife and two sisters, 54 other people, including 32 journalists, were killed in the massacre, considered as one of the worst cases of political violence in the country. Andal Sr.’s lawyer, Sigfrid Fortun was not immediately available for comment because proceedings were ongoing as of posting time. [See related: Andal Sr. seeks medical help for swollen leg, foot] Escape? Mangudadatu said the Ampatuan clan patriarch might attempt to escape from the hospital to evade being arraigned for 57 counts of murder. He said his fear should not be ignored, especially since Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes of Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221 has earlier assured the parties that she would come up in April or May with a decision whether or not to arraign Andal Sr. and other suspects in the case who have yet to be arraigned. Ampatuan and his son, Zaldy, could not be arraigned after they filed motions with the Court of Appeals questioning the charges filed against them. “Pero, hanggang ngayon wala pa ring temporary order sa court, so dapat ma-arraign na sila," said Mangudadatu’s legal counsel Nena Santos. The prosecution earlier said court rules only allow arraignment of a suspect to be suspended for a maximum of two months, adding that for the Ampatuans’ case, the deadline has already lapsed. [See related: Arraignment of Andal Sr. for multiple murder pushed anew] Santos said they would file an opposition to Andal Sr.’s request that he be examined at a tertiary government hospital. Santos said they would be agreeable to the request only if Andal Sr. agrees to be arraigned first. She also said that in case the court grants Andal Sr.’s request, they would hold a vigil outside the hospital to ensure he does not escape. – Mark Dalan Merueñas/KBK, GMA News