THE Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP)-Davao is calling on the Supreme Court (SC) to expedite approving its request of transfer of the high-profile inmates, especially the members of the Maute terrorist group, who are currently detained at the Davao City Jail to the Special Intensive Care Area (Sica) at Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City.
BJMP-Davao spokesperson and community relations service officer chief Jail Inspector Edo Lobenia told the media on Wednesday that there are still seven Maute members who are inside their jail facility.
Since these men are considered high risk, BJMP-Davao has been lobbying for their transfer request filed last year to the SC. The High Court has not responded in kind and they are crossing their fingers that it will be approved within this month.
“Nandiyan pa rin sila because we are still waiting for the order from the Supreme Court to transfer these high-profile inmates sa ating Sica,” he said.
Meanwhile, to minimize the risk of transporting these inmates during their trials, they have constructed a trial court inside the jail facility where the hearing will take place.
“We have established a court in Davao City inside the jail facility to minimize the augmentation coming from the Philippine Army and the Philippine National Police para ma-secure ang hearing sa mga high-risk,” he added.
Aside from the Maute group, there are also other high-profile inmates inside the BJMP in Davao. There are 47 members of the New People’s Army (NPA), 25 members of organized crime group, seven Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) members, three Abu Sayyaf Group, five members of ransom group and one political prisoner.
Some of them are bombers and high-ranking officials of the NPA. They have different detention cell from the regular inmates to avoid radicalization.
“There are things to be considered because the lawyers of these high-profile inmates or high-risk inmates are also lobbying not to transfer. So pinipigilan nila na ma-transfer ang inmates,” he said, adding that their reasons are financial issues and distance.
Last year, the Davao City Peace and Order Council (CPOC) passed a resolution seeking help from the Department of Justice for the immediate transfer of trial and detention of the five Maute members detained at the city jail during the Marawi siege due to fear of possible rescue from their comrades.