MANILA, Philippines–The Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221 has ordered the release of Sajid Islam Ampatuan, son of former Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan Sr., and one of the accused in the Maguindanao massacre case after posting P11.6 million bail.
Sajid Ampatuan posted P200,000 for each of the 58 counts of murder via Travellers Insurance and Surety Corporation.
The lower court, through Presiding Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes, issued the release order on Monday after finding the bond in order.
“The same is hereby approved and he is allowed to be on temporary liberty upon the same bonds,” the court order released stated.
Sajid is the first Ampatuan to be released on bail.
The court granted his petition for bail after “the prosecution panel failed to establish strong evidence that would warrant the continued detention of Sajid Islam while the trial is ongoing.”