Bulletproof vest, 360 cops to secure Andal Jr. during trial

A bulletproof vehicle escorted by 75 government agents will bring Andal Ampatuan Jr., the prime suspect in the November 23 massacre of 57 people in Maguindanao province, to the national police headquarters in Quezon City on Tuesday for his arraignment. This is just some of the security measures that will be implemented to ensure that Andal Jr., currently detained at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) headquarters in Manila, will be brought safely to Camp Crame for his high-profile multiple murder trial. “We would implement a more heightened security than that of the preliminary investigations at the [Department of Justice] because of the long travel to Quezon City. The DOJ is nearer as compared to Camp Crame," said Ruel Lasala, the NBI deputy director for intelligence services. In Camp Crame, Senior Superintendent Gordon Descanzo, deputy chief of the Headquarters Support Services in-charge of the camp’s security, said all of their 360 police personnel would be deployed in and around the police camp for the arraignment. Even the exact time of Andal Jr.’s departure from the NBI was not disclosed for his protection. “Mas matindi ito (This will be tougher). We will make 100 percent sure that we will bring Andal to Camp Crame safe and we will bring him back to his detention cell here at the bureau also safe," Lasala said.

Not taking chances Lasala, however, said they haven't received any intelligence report regarding an ambush plan on Andal Jr., but he said they are not taking any chances. “We are prepared for all possible scenarios and we have prepared alternative plans for that," he said. Lasala said the suspect, a scion of the powerful Ampatuan clan in Maguindanao, would be handcuffed and clad in a bulletproof vest while on his way to and from Camp Crame. The judge, however, could order the removal of his handcuffs. “He will be handcuffed while he was being transported to the place and vice versa. But when he is already in the courtroom, the judge may ask the NBI to remove the handcuffs," he said. Tuesday’s hearing would be held at a multi-purpose hall in the Police Non-Commissioned Officers (PNCO) Building in Camp Crame. The room, measuring 600 square meters, has dividers to separate areas for lawyers and their clients, witnesses, family members, and media practitioners. Lasalsa said only accredited media personnel are allowed to enter the hall. Quezon City regional trial court branch 221 Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes will preside over the trial and several motions are expected to be discussed, including the motion for bail. A report in GMA News on Monday said Assistant Chief State Prosecutor Richard Anthony Fadullon is confident that the prosecution could convince the court not to grant Andal Jr.’s petition for bail. - Sophia Dedace/KBK, GMANews.TV