Andal Jr. wants witness in jail

Maguindanao massacre suspect Andal Ampatuan Jr. is asking a Cotabato City judge not to allow his cousin – a prosecution witness in the multiple murder case – to be admitted in the witness protection program (WPP) of the Department of Justice (DOJ).

In a nine-page opposition filed before the Cotabato City Regional Trial Court Branch 15 last week, Andal’s lawyer, Salvador Panelo, asked Judge George Jabido to junk the request of the WPP to place Akmad Baganian Ampatuan under its custody.

Akmad Baganian, a prospective witness in the Maguindanao massacre trial, is facing a destructive arson charge for allegedly taking part in burning Andal’s house in 2013. He is also facing separate murder charge in another court.

According to Panelo, Akmad Baganian is not qualified to be placed in the WPP as he has not issued any judicial affidavit detailing his knowledge of the massacre.

“It is only after he was charged with destructive arson in the instant case, and this… court issuing a warrant for his arrest – that he suddenly offered himself to be a witness in order to dodge the certainty of staying in jail after his arrest,” the opposition read.

Panelo balked at the request of the DOJ and the WPP, saying putting him in their custody violates the equal protection clause provided for by the Constitution.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima earlier confirmed that Akmad Baganian is already under the WPP and that he should be under the government’s custody.

De Lima stressed the danger on his life, so that his custody should be given to the WPP.

But according to Panelo, the issue of security and safety are speculative and conjectural.

“The Ampatuans have no financial wherewithal, their lands having been taken over by the Muslim rebels which they have fiercely fought during the Arroyo administration,” he said.