3 cops relieved over ‘special treatment’ issue

GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- At least three policemen in Davao Region were relieved from their posts Tuesday for allegedly giving special treatment to four detained Ampatuan members.

A Malacañang official, however, reminded the public about jumping into conclusions regarding the alleged special treatment as accounts about it remain unverified and still subject to investigation.

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The recall of Senior Inspector Teody Condeza, SPO4 Alejandro Pedroso and SPO1 Emilio Militante was made upon the recommendation of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) headed by Senior Superintendent Benito C. Estipona.

Estipona recommended the moving of the Ampatuans to a bigger and more secured prison facility while they face trial for supposed rebellion and their alleged involvement in the Maguindanao massacre since they are considered “high-risk detainees.”

He explained that the CIDG jail in Camp Fermin Lira in this city where the Ampatuans are being held is not considered a detention facility and is supposedly more appropriate for mere safekeeping of suspects undergoing investigation.

He said once the suspects have been properly charged in court, they should be transferred or committed immediately to a regular jail facility.

The three relieved policemen landed on the hot seat after their alleged special treatment to brothers Zaldy U. Ampatuan, suspended governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm), former acting Maguindanao governor Sajid Islam U. Ampatuan, Shariff Aguak Mayor Anwar U. Ampatuan, and their cousin former acting Maguindanao vice governor Akmad M. Ampatuan.

Chief Inspector Jomar Alexis Yap, Philippine National Police (PNP)-Davao Region spokesperson, said the three though were not suspended "but just recalled to their unit because the investigation is still not complete."

Deputy presidential spokesman Gary Olivar said some of the points to be considered in the investigation include "rules and regulation governing the detention cell" and if the alleged behavior of the Ampatuans have defied any rule at the CIDG jail.

The Ampatuans were reportedly seen outside of their detention cell, dining on catered food with domestic helpers at their beck and call, and allowed to use cell phones.

In light of this special treatment issue, some senators have accused President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo of still having close ties with the Ampatuans and have a hand in pampering them.

Olivar, however, brushed off this claim, saying Arroyo's critics are using the issue as another attack against her.

The four Ampatuans have been detained for their supposed involvement in the grisly massacre of 57 people, including 30 media workers, in Ampatuan town last November 23.

The principal massacre suspect, Datu Unsay Mayor Andal U. Ampatuan Jr., started facing trial for 41 counts of murder at Camp Crame Tuesday. He entered a not guilty plea.

Their father, suspended Maguindanao Governor Andal S. Ampatuan Sr., is detained at a military hospital in Davao City.

Except Andal Jr., who yielded to the government days after the gruesome manslaughter that shocked the world, the other Ampatuans were arrested following the imposition of martial law in Maguindanao last month. (Bong S. Sarmiento/Jill Beltran/PNA/Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)