Sulu governor wants bombing suspect tried in Metro Manila

DAVAO CITY  ,Philippines – Sulu Gov. Abdulsakur Tan is seeking the transfer of the trial of a suspect in the 2009 bombing in Patikul town to Metro Manila instead of this city.

The bombing suspect, Temogen Tulawei, was arrested here last month and was immediately flown to Sulu where the regional trial court (RTC) there has jurisdiction over the case.

But the Supreme Court (SC) ruled in June 2011 that the case be transferred to Davao City as Tulawei feared for his life, as Tan, as Sulu governor, might allegedly influence his trial.

Tulawei was brought back to Davao City where his case is now handled by Judge Pelagio Paguican of RTC Branch 12.

Tan also asked the SC to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) and a writ of preliminary prohibitory mandatory injunction, saying the case must be heard in a neutral place like Metro Manila.

Tan wants Tulawei to be committed to the Davao City jail in Barangay Maa and not at the Davao City police station where he is detained.

Tan said Tulawei’s supposed close links with human rights groups here, particularly the Mindanao People’s Caucus and International Solidarity Conference, could affect his trial.

Paguican though said he would proceed with the raffling of the case to a regular court here unless the SC stops him.