ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines–The transfer of at least 50 suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits from Basilan to a jail facility here is a “security nightmare,” said a police official here.
“It’s a security nightmare for all of us,” Senior Supt. Edwin de Ocampo, the city police chief, said of the transfer which started Wednesday.
The Supreme Court earlier ordered the transfer of at least 50 high-risk Abu Sayyaf prisoners from the Basilan Provincial Reformatory Center to the Zamboanga City Reformatory Center. The suspects are facing trial for charges ranging from murder to kidnapping.
“We have submitted a position letter to the Supreme Court, as well as to the mayor of Zamboanga City, Celso Lobregat, seeking the transfer of these 50 ASG to a more a appropriate jail facility like in Bicutan or Camp Crame,” De Ocampo said.
“The city jail here is not fully equipped to hold 50 hardcore Abu Sayyaf members,” added the police chief.
Chief Insp. Julius Arro, the city jail warden, said he was surprised by the transfer.
“This is the order of the Supreme Court, but we have not received any memorandum or letter. Even our higher headquarters did not receive prior notice of the transfer,” Arro said.
He admitted that the Zamboanga City Reformatory Center has no detention cell for high-risk prisoners like the suspected Abu Sayyaf members.
“The most that we can do is mix them with other inmates,” he said.
Arro said he is not questioning the Supreme Court decision, “but my concern is that this facility is very crowded.”
The city jail is built to accommodate 300 prisoners. Arro, however, said they have at least 1,100 inmates.
De Ocampo said authorities have to revise their security plan to ensure nothing untoward will happen while the Abu Sayyaf suspects are detained in the city while facing trial.
The Abu Sayyaf gained notoriety for kidnapping foreign tourists, missionary workers and even journalists in exchange for ransom. The group’s factions operate in the provinces of Sulu and Basilan. The Abu Sayyaf has been blamed also for a series of bomb attacks in Mindanao.