De Lima: No court relief for drug lord

MANILA, Philippines - A high-profile convict currently isolated at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) failed to get relief from court to oppose his transfer from the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima disclosed that the camp of Peter Co has filed a writ of habeas corpus before the Manila Regional Trial Court seeking to compel the Department of Justice (DOJ) to return him to the NBP.

De Lima said the court dismissed the petition outright due to infirmities. The appeal was filed by Juan Serrano, who introduced himself as a cousin of Co.

“It was not even proven if he was really a cousin of Co. I don’t think the petitioner is related to the wife because we were told she is in China,” De Lima told reporters.

The DOJ chief said she has tapped a special team from the Office of the Solicitor General to handle cases filed by the inmates who were moved to the NBI jail.

Similar petitions were earlier filed with the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals by other inmates transferred with Co – Amin Imam Boratong, Michael Ong, Willy Sy and Noel Martinez.

Aside from the five, the other inmates isolated at the NBI are Eugene Chua, Chua Sam Li, Vincent Sy, George Sy, Joel Capones, Herbert Colangco, Clarence Dongail, Tom Chua, Rommel Capoines, Jojo Baligad, Jacky King Sy, Willy Chua, Jacky King Sy and Herman Agojo.  

They were plucked out from the national penitentiary following a raid on Dec. 15 wherein contraband including illegal drugs, cash and special equipment were seized from the inmates. 

Palace open to Senate probe

Malacañang is open to the Senate’s plan to probe the perks and privileges of some high-profile inmates at the NBP’s maximum security compound.

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said measures should be taken to prevent a repeat of shenanigans inside the state penitentiary.

“In aid of legislation, the Senate would always have a role in overseeing the kind of laws that would improve the penal system,” Lacierda said.

“The Senate can come in and may perhaps introduce new policies toward improving the penal system,” he added.

Lacierda noted that moneyed inmates get to enjoy privileges that should not have been accorded them.

“These things would not happen without cooperation from bribed penitentiary officials. So the problem is both personnel and systemic,” he said.  

“If you noticed, Secretary De Lima has been addressing reforms both systemic and personnel by removing people who are allegedly involved in the smuggling of contraband,” he added.

– With Delon Porcalla, Aie Balagtas See