Safe in the city jail? Court checks suspect's safety

CEBU, Philippines - In the interest of due process, the court directed the Cebu City Jail to comment on the security of one of the accused in the botched robbery of a bank teller inside a mall near Fuente Osmeña.

During the hearing of the motion to request transfer of detention yesterday, Regional Trial Court Branch 19 Judge Wilfredo Navarro gave the City Jail five days to file their opposition.

Navarro’s order came after the manifestation of state prosecutor Aida Sanchez to give the City Jail a chance to comment of whether or not they can secure the safety of the accused-movant Rolien Castro.

Sanchez told the media it’s better to hear the side of the City Jail.

“There’s no problem but we have to hear their side,” she said, adding that it’s the right of the City Jail to comment on the motion.

Defense lawyer Rameses Victorious Villagonzalo told the media they will be filing a motion to bail before the scheduled arraignment on August 14, 2012 for the temporary liberty of his client.

Though the crime charged was a non-bailable offense, Villagonzalo said they will be filing a motion because the evidence against his client is weak.

“The case is weak against Castro but strong to others,” he said.

Likewise, Navarro issued a commitment order against Merly Laguitao, Junjun Cabando’s live-in partner, to be detained at Cebu City Jail.

State Witness

In an interview, Laguitao said she is willing to become a state witness but fears for the security of her family.

Sanchez, on the other hand, said the state sees no reason to have a state witness as they have lot of witnesses.

“It’s easy to find a way out. We leave it to her. It’s up to the state,” Villagonzalo said.

Navarro admitted the amendments of the Information of the case and inserted the names of Laguitao, Castro and Francis Raagas into the court records. He also issued a warrant of arrest against Raagas.

Earlier, Castro filed a motion to transfer detention for security reasons.

“There is an imperative need that Rolien Castro must not be detained along with Junjun Cabando at Cebu City Jail for this would cause grave and serious security and safety concerns on the part of Castro,” the motion reads.

He asked the court for Castro to be detained at the Investigation Detection and Management Branch (IDMB) of Cebu City, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)-7 or Arm Forces of the Philippines Central Command.

The incident happened on September 11, 2011. Castro is currently detained at the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO).

Chief Insp. Romeo Santander, head of the City Intelligence Branch, said Raagas is the last John Doe in last year’s botched heist at the mall.

Santander said they now have a copy of the warrant of arrest against Raagas. The CIB chief, who also led the arrest of Laguitao, opted not to divulge the whereabouts of Raagas but he said they are now monitoring the suspect.

Santander said they hope to arrest Raagas within the week.

The two other John Does in the robbery with homicide case related to last year’s mall robbery were Castro and Laguitao. The latter has been committed to the Cebu City Jail yesterday. — (FREEMAN)