Alleged threats to the lives of witnesses caused the postponement Friday of the National Police Commission (Napolcom)-led trial of some 62 Maguindanao-based cops who have been charged in the massacre that occurred in the province last November.

Chief Prosecutor Owen de Luna of Napolcom, citing a “Very Urgent Motion to Postpone Hearing” filed by private prosecutors in the case, said the witnesses have sought for more time to prepare themselves.

“According to some of the counsels that are in contact with the witnesses, it seems that they (witnesses) have been receiving threats,” De Luna said.

The lawyer, however, refused to give a copy of the motion. He also declined to say who or how many of the witnesses are being threatened due to security reasons.

“Mahirap tumestigo na may takot (It’s difficult to testify with fear). The witnesses need time to make sure that they are fully committed to this,” De Luna explained. When asked for details when or how the witnesses were threatened, De Luna said he has yet to confer with the private prosecutors.

The cancelled hearing, which was scheduled Friday at 2 p.m. at the Metro Manila District Jail (MMDJ) building in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City, was supposed to be the fourth under the auspices of Napolcom and the second dealing with the presentation of witnesses.

The police suspects are under trial for charges of grave threats, which is punishable by dismissal from the service. The hearing has been reset to next Friday, July 30.

The two witnesses presented by the prosecution panel last July 17, namely Cifriana Gatchalian and Editha Tiamzon, were relatives of two of the 30 slain journalists in the Maguindanao Massacre. At least 57 people were killed in that incident.

Meanwhile, Chief Insp. Emelito Moral, jail warden of the MMDJ, clarified in an informal report to De Luna that the “commotion” that reportedly took place in the penal facility last week was nothing more than a misunderstanding among inmates.

“It was a case of some of the Muslim inmates being offended during their prayer. But they talked it over and nothing else happened,” relayed De Luna about his conversation with Moral.