BJMP readies to transfer 8 remaining MNLF detainees to Bicutan

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 14): BJMP readies to transfer 8 remaining MNLF detainees to Bicutan

The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) is making the necessary preparations for the transfer of the remaining eight Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) rebel detainees from here to Bicutan, Taguig City.

Zamboanga City Reformatory Center (ZCRC) Warden Chief Insp. Julius Arro said five of the eight to be transferred are women and the remaining three are men.

Arro explained they were not brought together with the more than 200 rebel detainees transported to Bicutan last December 27 since the three males were sick at that time.

Also, Arro said there was no available detention facility yet at that time for women the reason why the five female MNLF detainees were left behind.

“We are working to transfer them as soon as possible in compliance with the Supreme Court order,” Arro said.

The more than 200 MNLF rebel detainees were transported to Bicutan, Taguig City from this city last December 27 aboard the Philippine Navy’s Landing Ship Transport-550 (LST-550) under heavy guards.

The move of the MNLF rebel detainees is in compliance with the High Tribunal resolution transferring the detention and hearing of cases filed against the rebels.

They were charged for rebellion and violation of the international humanitarian law in connection with their involvement 20-day siege last September.

Meanwhile, Arro disclosed without giving specific amount that the BJMP has spent millions of pesos for the transfer of the MNLF detainees.

The expenses the BJMP incurred was for the construction of temporary detention aboard LST-550, food, gasoline and others, Arro said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=604814