Convict gets belated relief from visitation ban

MANILA, Philippines - An inmate has secured temporary relief against the visitation ban imposed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) detention center, where 20 New Bilibid Prison (NBP) inmates are currently isolated following a crackdown on contraband in the national penitentiary.

The relief, however, came a little late as the DOJ lifted the ban and restored the visitation rights of convicted kidnapper Noel Martinez and other inmates at the NBI about two weeks ago.

The Court of Appeals (CA) Fifth Division granted “enhanced visitation” for Martinez during yesterday’s hearing on the writ of amparo petition filed by his sister, Marilou Martinez Raguro.

The CA division chaired by Associate Justice Noel Tijam directed NBI director Virgilio Mendez, who was present in the hearing, “to make arrangements” for lawyer Ferdinand Topacio and the other lawyers “to be able to visit their respective clients.”

The court also ordered the parties to submit on Feb. 11 position papers on the merits of the case, including the power of the justice secretary to restrict or suspend visitation rights and to transfer prisoners from the NBP to other detention facilities.

Mendez said Topacio had been allowed to visit his client even before the CA issued the order.