MANILA, Philippines — The transfer of New Bilibid Prison (NBP) inmates must be ordered by the court, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said Saturday after President Rodrigo Duterte admitted he had ordered the transfer of some 10 high profile inmates from the NBP to the headquarters of the Philippine Marines.
“Under the law, there are these prisoners where we incarcerated is by order of the court. When the court convicts, the court directs kung saan ka ikukulong,” Drilon said in the weekly Annabel’s forum in Quezon City.
“And you are supposed to stay there and the custodial, in this case, the Bureau of Corrections, is responsible to the Court,” he added.
The President admitted on Friday he ordered the transfer of the NBP inmates to the Philippine Marine headquarters. The 10 inmates had testified against detained Senator Leila De Lima, who is facing illegal drug charges.
READ: Duterte admits ordering transfer of Bilibid inmates who testified vs De Lima
“When the court asks ‘Where is Juan Dela Cruz?’ He is supposed to say, ‘Nandito sa amin,’” the senator said.
However, Drilon went on to say that he does not know the circumstances of Duterte’s order.
“Having said that, I do not know the circumstances here. Whether or not there is security control,” Drilon said. /muf