MANILA, Philippines—Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo said Monday that plans are underway to transfer the detention of high-risk inmates from the Kidapawan district jail in Kidapawan City to the Bicutan district jail in Taguig City.
This, he said, is to prevent the repeat of the February 19 attack wherein around 50 unidentified armed suspects assaulted the Kidapawan district jail in attempt to rescue detained Maguindanao-based notorious Muslim bandit leader Datucan Samad, a.k.a “Lastikman.” Three civilians, including a Red Cross volunteer were killed, while 16 others were injured.
Samad is said to be one of the 17 high-risk inmates detained in the Kidapawan jail, whose group is said to be involved in bombings, terrorism, insurgency, kidnapping, carnappings and other crimes, the DILG secretary said.
Robredo said the Department of Justice (DOJ) has already requested the Supreme Court to transfer court hearings of high-risk cases pending before the Regional Trial Courts of the Province of Cotabato to other venues.
“Once the Supreme Court grants the DOJ’s request, then the transfer of the inmates would presumably follow,” he said.
The request for relocation of high-risk inmates was made by the Kidapawan City Peace and Order Council, through a resolution addressed to Justice Secretary Leila De Lima through Secretary Robredo.
The resolution noted that the Kidapawan district jail, which is located adjacent to the city hall as well as residential and commercial areas, does not have comprehensive security measures and enough manpower to immediately respond to the needs of securing high risk inmates.
In her letter-request to the high court through the Court Administrator, Jose Midas Marquez, the DOJ secretary said she shares the concern of the Peace and Order Council of Kidapawan and agree that the place of detention of these high risk inmates should be transferred.
“However, the transfer of their detention place could not be effected unless the venue of the hearing is also transferred,” De Lima said.