AMPATUAN

The Department of Justice (DoJ) rejected Wednesday the proposal to transfer the m a i n suspect in the infamous Maguindanao massacre to the Quezon City jail.

In an interview with reporters, Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera said the cramped and heavily congested jail poses a huge security threat to Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. of Datu Unsay, Maguindanao.

“He is a high-risk prisoner. We want him to face trial unhurt,” Devanadera said, referring to the principal accused in the multiple murder case in connection with the brutal killing of at least 57 people, including journalists, in Maguindanao last November 23.

Ampatuan is presently detained at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) while facing trial for 41 counts of murder before the sala of Quezon City Regional Trial Court Judge Jocelyn Solis Reyes.

Ampatuan pleaded not guilty to the charges during an arraignment held at Camp Crame last Tuesday.

That same day, relatives of slain journalists –through lawyer Harry Roque –asked Judge Reyes to order Ampatuan’s transfer to the Quezon City jail as they criticized the “special treatment” given to him at the NBI detention.

Devanadera, however, said: “There is still no urgent necessity (for Ampatuan) to be transferred to a facility where he may be detained and attend hearings.”

She said it would be more acceptable to the DoJ if Ampatuan will be transferred later on to Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan.

“Bicutan would be more okay,” Devanadera said, noting that suspected members of the notorious Abu Sayyaf Group are detained there and that their cases are also being held within the camp.

Camp Bagong Diwa is the headquarters of the National Capital Region Police Office and is also where the Metro Manila District Jail is located.