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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Sec Remulla denies memorandum on return of 12 high-profile inmates from Sablayan Prison to Bilibid

Sec Remulla denies memorandum on return of 12 high-profile inmates from Sablayan Prison to Bilibid

Published Sep 13, 2023 09:00 am

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Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla on Wednesday, Sept. 13, denied that he issued a memorandum circular which ordered the return to the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City of 12 high-profile persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) who are detained at the maximum security facility of the Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm (SPPF) in Occidental Mindoro.

Remulla then ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to find out who is behind the fake memorandum circular as he advised Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr. to be careful against suspicious directives coming from the secretary of the Department of Justice (DOJ).

“Ang tingin namin d’yan meron ding mga empleyado ‘yan na kasabwat sa pagpapalabas niyan (I believe that certain government employees are in connivance in the issuance that memorandum circular),” he said during a press briefing.

“‘Yan ang aming pinapahanap sa NBI ngayon at hahanapin namin talaga (I have instructed the NBI to find out who are behind this),” said Remulla who expressed suspicion that employees from the DOJ and BuCor could be involved.

He also told journalists: “May usapan na kami ni DG Catapang na mag-ingat sa lahat ng communications (I have talked to Director General Catapang to be careful about all communications).”

“‘Pag may konting duda validate lalo na pagka hindi pinag-usapan at bigla na lang may lumitaw na order (Validate when there is doubt, especially when there were no talks on the issue and suddently an order appears),” Remulla said on his instruction to Catapang.

The secretary took action after learning about the fake Memorandum Circular No. 003 addressed to Catapang dated Sept. 8 that was emailed to various officials and offices of the DOJ.

The fake memorandum circular which also bore the signature of Remulla instructed Catapang of “transferring back to the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) Muntinlupa the custody” of the 12 high-profile inmates, namely, Noel G. Martinez, Jerry R. Pepino, Herbert R. Colangco, Tomas B. Donina, Jaime V. Patio, Rodolfo T. Magleo, Engelberton A. Durano, German L. Agojo, Hans Anton Tan, Joel D. Capones, Peter Co and Nonilo A. Arile.

The document indicated that they are being kept at the Pasugui Sub-Prison in SPPF.

The fake circular noted that the 12 inmates are under the Witness Protection Program (WPP) and have testified against detained former senator Leila M. de Lima in the charges she is facing before the Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court (RTC) over her involvement in the illegal drug trading at the NBP.

“Malamang kung sila ang makikinabang sila rin ang gumawa niyan (If these inmates feel they would be benefited by the circular then they must have a hand in the preparation of the fake document),” Remulla said.

 “Gusto lang talaga nila makabalik muli sa Muntinlupa (They just want to return to Muntinlupa),” he added.

Remulla the 12 inmates that their prison sentence could get extended if they continue to commit such crimes.

He also said that government employees found involved could be charged with falsification of public documents and could be sentenced to imprisonment.  They could also be removed from the service and their benefits forfeited..

“Hindi po biro ang gumawa ng ganito dokumento. Ito po ay may karampatang parusa (It is no joke to make such fake documents. There is a corresponding punishment for that),” he warned. 

 

 

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