Morong detainees' transfer delayed anew

MANILA, Philippines - The transfer of the so-called “Morong 38” to police custody was delayed anew after the Philippine National Police (PNP) filed another motion seeking to reverse a court ruling that ordered the detention of the suspected rebels to Camp Crame in Quezon City.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Lt. Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr. said they received last Friday the ruling of the Morong Regional Trial Court Branch 78 and have made preparations to comply with it.

“The AFP made immediate preparations for the transfer of the 38 alleged NPA (New People’s Army) members from Camp Capinpin, Tanay, Rizal to Camp Crame. When everything was set… the transfer has to be postponed due to the omnibus motion for reconsideration filed by the PNP Custodial Center,” he said.

Burgos said the PNP, in its motion, said its custodial center has limited space and is holding high-risk detainees. The PNP also said the transfer would result in risky travel from Camp Crame to court hearings in Morong.

Originally dubbed as the “Morong 43,” the suspects were allegedly conducting a seminar on making explosives when they were arrested in a rest house in Morong, Rizal last Feb. 6.  

Five of the 43 suspects have expressed interest to avail of the government’s amnesty program and will remain under military custody.