THE Ampatuan patriarch, accused in the November 23 Maguindanao massacre, will remain at the Panacan Station Hospital in Davao City as "he's still a patient" of the hospital.
Hospital Commanding Officer Colonel Reynaldo Pausanos said former Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan Sr. cannot be discharged due to his illnesses. He added they are still for a court order that will tell them where to send the patient after he is discharged.
As stated in Ampatuan's medical bulletin for January 18, 2010, he has Stage 2 hypertension, Hypertensive Cardiovascular Disease (LVH), COPD, not in acute exacerbation, Hepatic Cirrhosis sec to NASH sec to Diabetes mellitus and obesity with beginning esophagel varices, Tension Headache with migraine component, diabetes mellitus type 2, internal hemorrhoids grade 1 and erosive gastritis.
In simple terms, his excess weight and diabetes has affected his liver. He also has hypertension, a heart problem, hemorrhoids, and an inflammation and wearing away of the stomach lining.
The patient also complains about his chest pains and joint pains.
Ampatuan Sr. refuses to be interviewed at the Station Hospital.
East Mindanao Command spokesperson Major Randolph Cabangbang echoed the doctor's reply and denied claims of special treatment being rendered to the suspect.
"He is still here and there is no special treatment aside from the treatment he gets from being a sick patient," Cabangbang said.
Ampatuan Sr. was believed to have masterminded the massacre of 57 people, including 30 journalists, the wife and sisters of Buluan Vice Mayor Esmail "Toto" Mangudadatu, and two lawyers.
Mangudadatu has been under threat since he decided to run against the Ampatuans in the gubernatorial race in Maguindanao. (Christine Angelique Bisquera/ADDU Intern)