QUEZON CITY—Former ARMM governor Zaldy Ampatuan has asked to be transferred to the New Bilibid Prison infirmary because of poor health.

He forwarded the request to the Quezon City court that convicted him of murder in the Maguindanao massacre case.

In his urgent motion filed on Dec. 23, 2019, or 4 days after the release of the verdict, Ampatuan cited his “deteriorating and debilitating physical and medical condition” after he suffered three strokes in a span of 2 months, besides dealing with hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and chronic atrial fibrillation.

He listed 22 medicines he needed to take regularly, besides aggressive therapy and rehabilitation.

“In view of the rigorous updated medications and follow-up consultations indicated in his home instruction form that Zaldy is required to undergo, he is constrained to respectfully request this honorable court that he be allowed to be transferred to the infirmary of the NBP, in order to receive the therapy, rehabilitation, and medication prescribed by his doctors, and so as not to unduly put his health in jeopardy,” Ampatuan said in his motion.

Together with his brothers Andal Ampatuan Jr. alias Unsay and Anwar Ampatuan Sr., and nephews Anwar Jr., alias Datu Ipi and Anwar Sajid alias Datu Ulo, Zaldy Ampatuan was sentenced to reclusion perpetua for the death of 57 victims in the Maguindanao massacre.

Zaldy Ampatuan was hospitalized for 58 days since his stroke in October, including confinement in the intensive care unit for a week.

But Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221 ordered his return to detention in Camp Bagong Diwa two days before the release of the ruling on Dec. 19, saying he could continue his rehabilitation and recovery while in detention.