PNP to seek legal opinion on Napoles jail transfer

PNP Chief Superintendent Reuben Theodore Sindac. RYAN LEAGOGO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday said it would seek a legal opinion on the Sandiganbayan’s order to transfer alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles to Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.

PNP Chief Superintendent Reuben Theodore Sindac said the court’s order seems to be in conflict with the earlier directive of a Makati court that committed Napoles to Fort Sto. Domingo in Laguna.

“We will be consulting the PNP legal service to clarify the conflicting orders. Until we clarify these issues, there will be no movement,” Sindac said.

He said they would wait for the legal service to give its advice before making any movement regarding her custody, citing the legal service is “more competent” to give advice on the issue.

However, he said the PNP welcomes the anti-graft court’s decision.

“The PNP welcomes this development as we can now better mobilize our police forces for their primary police duties,” Sindac said.

According to him, the Regional Public Safety Batallion and Special Action Force in Region 4A could now be better utilized for internal security and other police work.

Since Napoles is under its custody, the PNP is tasked to secure the detained businesswoman during her travels from Fort Sto. Domingo to Sandiganbayan in Quezon City during her court hearings.

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