Prosecutors want transfer of Nova Princess Parojinog from Camp Crame to BJMP
MANILA, Philippines–State prosecutors have asked two Regional Trial Courts in Quezon City (QC-RTC) to transfer the detention of former Ozamiz City Vice Mayor Nova Princess Parojinog from the Philippine National Police Custodial Center (PNPCC) in Camp Crame to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology’s (BJMP) Special Intensive Care Area (SICA).
Parojinog is facing cases for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 specifically Section 11 for possession of dangerous drugs before QC-RTC Branch 228 and violation of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition under Section 28 of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act before QC-RTC Branch 95.
Nova Princess and her brother, Reynaldo Jr were arrested in simultaneous raids conducted by the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) in 2017.
Seized at her house were various sizes of heat-sealed plastic sachets containing white crystalline substance, disposable lighters, aluminum foils, 500 pieces of P1,000 bills, 1,800 pieces of P500 bills, one sheet of paper containing different numerical entries as well as one M16 rifle, a magazine for an M16 rifle, a spent M16 cartridge and 13 live M16 rifle bullets.
Prosecutors told both courts that Parojinog’s stay at the PNPCC is a violation of the laws and rules governing inmates who are undergoing trial.
While the PNPCC houses detainees, prosecutors led by Senior State Prosecutor Juan Pedro Navera said it is only a temporary holding facility for arrested persons.
“The agency vested by law to administer and supervise jail facilities where arrested persons should be committed while waiting or undergoing trial is the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP),” read the motions to transfer.
The prosecutors reminded the court that as early as 2010, the Supreme Court has already issued a circular refraining lower court judges from issuing orders committing detainees at PNPCC.
Also, considering that the former vice mayor is a high-risk detainee, “the BJMP-SICA has all the resources to sustain the continued confinement, detention, transportation and security of the accused to and from the court where her cases are pending as it is the institution’s mandate to do so.”
“She should be detained in a BJMP facility just like all others who are similarly situated. She should not be given special privileges or treatment distinct from all other detainees,” the prosecutors said.
RELATED STORY: Parojinog siblings indicted
Edited by MUF
