Court: Honasan to stay in Laguna

The Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC) has ordered the continued detention of former Senator Gregorio "Gringo" Honasan at Fort Sto. Domingo in Sta. Rosa, Laguna until the Department of Justice (DOJ) finishes its re-investigation of the coup d’ etat charges against him in connection with the failed Feb. 24 coup last year.

In his ruling, Judge Oscar Pimentel said Honasan is a "high-profile personality" and has a history of escaping from his detention.

Pimentel said while rules require that Honasan be detained at the Makati City Jail, the cashiered army colonel must be secured temporarily at Fort Sto. Domingo.

Pimentel argued that "there are special considerations, which may be taken into account in connection with the present detention of Sen. Honasan."

He cited Honasan’s escape from detention for staging a 1989 coup against then President Corazon Aquino. "There was a time when Sen. Honasan was ordered to be detained and confined at a floating ship somewhere in Manila Bay, but he was able to escape together with his guards."

Pimentel added that Honasan "has a history of being suspected of certain acts which could affect not only the national security but also the government itself and that at present, the court has already granted the motion for reinvestigation of Honasan. In the exercise of the court’s discretion, and in order that the person of Honasan may be secured by the authorities, it is best of Sen. Honasan to be confined temporarily, until further orders from the Court, at Fort Sto. Domingo, Sta. Rosa, Laguna."

Criminal Investigation and Detection Group chief Director Jesus Verzosa has earlier asked that Honasan remain in Fort Sto. Domingo so he could be guarded more closely. – Jose Rodel Clapano