Ampatuan released on bail

The Maguindanao Massacre crime scene (Photo by Dann Pantoja)

MANILA — Sajid Islam Ampatuan, son of former Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan Sr., and one of the accused in the Maguindanao massacre case was released after posting P11.6 million bail.

The Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221 has ordered his release after posting bail for each of the cases filed against him.

“The same is hereby approved and he is allowed to be on temporary liberty upon the same bonds,” the court order released stated.

Sajid posted P200,000 for each of the 58 counts of murder via Travellers Insurance and Surety Corporation.

Through Presiding Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes, the lower court issued the release order dated Monday, after finding the bond in order.

Sajid, the first Ampatuan to be released on bail was freed following the court’s decision to grant his petition for bail.

This was after “the prosecution panel failed to establish strong evidence that would warrant the continued detention of Sajid Islam while the trial is ongoing.”