Tiamzon couple: Crame inquest ‘highly irregular’

By: Nestor Corrales - 11 years ago

Benito and Wilma Tiamzon at the Multi-Purpose Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City during their inquest proceedings Monday. Photo from PNP PIO

MANILA, Philippines – The camp of arrested Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) leaders Benito and Wilma Tiamzon on Monday said the inquest proceedings held at the Camp Crame in Quezon City were “highly irregular.”

Atty. Rachel Pastores told reporters that they refused to recognize the inquest proceedings and questioned procedures’ validity since the processing should happen in Cebu where the crime allegedly happened.

Pastores said the Tiamzons and five others asked the permission of Senior Superintendent Roberto Fajardo, chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-National Capital Region, to leave the venue of inquest proceedings.

She reiterated their position that the arrest of her clients was disrespectful to the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (Jasig).

Fajardo, however, said the Department of Justice (DOJ) is allowed to hold inquest proceedings at a secure venue like Camp Crame as a safety precaution.

Police said the Tiamzons are also facing additional charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives.

Earlier reports, however, did not indicate the seizure of firearms and explosives during their arrest in Cebu.

Pastores said the supplementary complaints are meant to justify the continued illegal detention of her clients.

While the Tiamzons were escorted back by the police to the Custodial Center in Camp Crame, Benito shouted, “Tuloy ang laban (fight goes on)!”

Protestors, meanwhile, trooped to camp Crame Monday morning to call for the immediate release of the Tiamzons and five others who were arrested with them.

The Tiamzons were arrested in Cebu City on Saturday where arrest warrants for crimes against humanity, including murder, multiple murder, and frustrated murder charges were served.