Court junks plea of 'hulidap' cops for detention transfer

Police officers allegedly involved in the kidnapping along the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue. The incident was captured in a photo that went viral in September. STAR/file

MANILA, Philippines — A Mandaluyong City court denied the request of the two police officers implicated in the robbery and kidnapping case along EDSA to be detained at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

Judge Carlos Valenzuela of the Mandaluyong City Regional Trial Court branch 213 thumbed down the plea of Police Chief Inspector Joseph de Vera and Police Officer 1 Jonathan Rodriguez to be transferred from the Mandaluyong jail to the PNP custodial facility.

The judge based his decision on the Supreme Court ruling which directs all courts to refrain from committing detainees at the PNP Custodial Center.

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The court, meanwhile, deferred on Wednesday the arraignment of the two police officers, saying it is yet to review and settle several motions raised by the defense panel. The two cops are facing kidnap for ransom and robbery in band charges.

The defense lawyers have a pending motion to reinvestigate and motion to quash before the court.

The court set the next hearing and arraignment of De Vera and Rodriguez on Nov. 12.

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