|
Wednesday, March 16, 2005
Judge requests blast suspect's extradition
By Raquel C. Bagnol
DAVAO CITY -- A judge in Davao City said he already issued a certification from court last week for the extradition of an American national who nearly died when a bomb exploded in his hotel room on May 16, 2002.
Regional Trial Court Branch 13 Judge Isaac Robillo said he issued the certification upon the request of the City Prosecutor's Office (CPO), saying the case against Michael Terrence Meiring was shelved in 2003 yet.
Robillo said the court certification for the extradition should have been issued before because two years had already been passed.
Meiring, who is facing a complaint for illegal possession of ammunition and reckless imprudence resulting in damage to property, is facing charges before Robillo's sala.
Mayor Rodrigo Duterte earlier said the American should also be charged with arson for burning a portion of the hotel.
Meiring was spirited out of his hospital room on May 19, 2002, three days after the explosion, by what Duterte referred to as "arrogant" agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
US Ambassador Francis Ricciardone earlier said they received a letter from Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez informing them about the charges filed against Meiring.
But until January this year, Ricciardone said the charges against Meiring were never communicated with them on an official basis.
The ambassador said as far as they knew, at the time Meiring was taken out of the Davao Doctors Hospital and transferred to a Manila hospital, there were no criminal charges filed against him.
Ricardionne said if charges had been filed against Meiring, they would have ensured that he faced these.
Robillo issued a warrant of arrest against Meiring on June 13, 2002 and fixed the bail bond at P80,000.
A hold-departure order was also issued, but by then, Meiring was already out of the country.
| Post your experiences to the Sun.Star Graduation section. Click here. | 2005-02-24 04:52:02
mcalvo - My graduation was unforgettable to me and to my classmates. I was so drunk the night before graduation. During the ceremony i dozed to the point of snooring even when i was already standing i was half sleeping. Our dean has to call my name twice and the person behind me has to push me just to wake me up... graduations are memorable...enjoy and congratulations to all graduates!
Read more experiences |
(March 16, 2005 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
|
|
[return to top]
[home]
|
|
Gov't 'regrets' beheading of 4 Pinoys in Saudi