Maguindanao inmates appeal for speedy trial

COTABATO CITY - Inmates of the Maguindanao provincial jail have appealed to local courts for speedy trial of charges filed against them.Among those who aired an appeal was Jimmy Sultan who has been in jail for the past eight years on charges of frustrated murder.He told DXMS Radyo Bida Bantayan program that life in jail was difficult and inhuman. We appeal that the government will provide us lawyers to expedite resolution of our cases, Sultan said. Court hearings for our casesare always postponed, delayed, he said in Filipino.Ogie Kimbao, another inmate, said the detainees have no supplies for personal hygiene like bath soap, shampoo and toothpase. We are yearning for mats so we can sleep soundly, he added.Maguindanao provincial jail warden

Macapagal
Blao said the jail management is trying to address these concerns, especially when the provincial jail is moved to Buluan after the completion of a proposed P50 million Maguindanao detention and rehabilitation center.On Monday, the Maguindanao health team visited the inmates at PCH Hill, Cotabato City and extended medical and dental services.A livelihood projects for the inmates are on the way from Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Toto Mangudadatu.