Manila RTC orders NBI to explain why Taguba is still in its custody

Mark Ruben Taguba II is being escorted by an agent of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) at the Manila City Hall of Justice on Friday, February 9, 2018, for the hearing on his “very urgent motion” seeking continued detention at the NBI headquarters. For now, however, the court allowed Taguba to stay under the NBI’s custody pending the resolution of his petition. Taguba is one of the accused in the controversial P6.4 billion shabu shipment from China. (INQUIRER.net / Julius Leonen)

A Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) has issued a show cause order against the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Custodial Center head for failing to transfer Customs fixer Mark Ruben Taguba II to the Manila City Jail.

During a court hearing on Friday, Manila RTC Branch 46 Judge Rainelda Estacio-Montesa gave NBI Custodial Center Chief Menardo Cariaga 48 hours to explain why he should not be cited in contempt.

For now, however, the judge allowed Taguba to stay under the NBI’s custody pending the resolution of his “very urgent motion” seeking continued detention at the NBI headquarters.

Montesa ordered on February 2 Taguba’s transfer to the Manila City Jail after she denied the Customs fixer’s motion to stay in NBI custody.

The judge earlier ruled that there was no evidence to prove that Taguba’s life was in danger.

Moreover, the judge stressed, there was no mandate from the NBI or any agency attached to the Department of Justice (DOJ) to continue keeping Taguba in their custody,

Taguba is one of the accused in the controversial P6.4 billion shabu shipment from China.

Taguba was ordered arrested for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, specifically for importation of dangerous drugs.

Aside from Taguba, the trial court also ordered the arrest of the following: Li Guang Feng alias Manny Li, Dong Yi Shen Xi alias Kenneth Dong, Eirene Mae Tatad, Teejan Marcellana, Chen I-Min, Jhu Ming Jhyun, and Chen Rong Juan.

The arrest order was issued after the court found probable cause in the criminal charges filed by the DOJ against Taguba et al.              /kga