PNP says strong case vs Tiamzon couple

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 27): PNP says strong case vs Tiamzon couple

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday assured that they have a strong case against the captured rebel leaders Benito and Wilma Tiamzon.

According to Chief Supt. Benjamin Magalong, director of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), they are very confident that the couple will not be able to get out as they may not likely be released by the court, stressing that they have a strong case against them.

”Very, very strong yung case naming espcially yung mga warrants of arrest, revisting cases, dun sa inupakan Leyte, review cases pa sa Quezon, at sa ibang lugar, Visayas, maganada rito pieces of evidence ay intact, napakalakas ng case,” Magalong explained.

Magalong also said that the couple, both tagged as high-ranking officials of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA), is currently detained at the Custodial Center in Camp Crame.

Magalong said that the intense security inside the national police headquarters in Quezon City would make it difficult for the Tiamzon couple either to escape or be rescued by their comrades.

The security was further tightened with the arrival of the couple, noting that Wilma Tiamzon was able to escape from detention several years ago.

”Confident di na makakalabas, very strong, we will sustain yung offensive, nakita nyo background ni Wilma Tiamzon, twice sya tumakas, she is actually a flight risk, di basta-basta pakawalan ng court,” he added.

Police earlier filed a case of illegal possession of firearms and explosives during an inquest proceeding at Camp Crame. The case is a non-bailable offense.

The charges stemmed from the four handguns and two grenades seized from them. The lawyer of the Tiamzon, however, claimed that the evidence is planted since the two were just carrying puppies and kittens at the time of their arrest in Cebu last week.

Aside from the charges filed against the couple early this week, the two are also being linked to mass killings of communist rebels in Leyte as part of the purging of suspected military spies

Magalong said the issue of Camp Crame as best detention facility for the couple not only about security but about their safety, medical wise.

We feel they are more safe here, They are well taken cared of here. They have regular medical exams like blood pressure monitoring and hiwa-hiwalay para mas comfortable sila, detention cell,” said Magalong.

On Monday, the Tiamzon couple and the five other CPP-NPA members were inquested on the case of illegal possession of firearms and explosives arising from the confiscation from them of four firearms and two hand grenades during their arrest in Cebu Saturday.

They were arrested by virtue of a warrant of arrest for them as a result of their crimes against humanity that include murder, multiple murders, and frustrated murder.

The couple were originally charged with multiple murder before the Regional Trial Court Branch 18 in Hilongos, Leyte but now transferred to Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 32 under Judge Mario Dela Cruz.

The charges were in relation to the involvement of the Tiamzons in the brutal killing of 15 civilians in Inopacan, Leyte who were later buried in a mass grave that was discovered in 2006.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=629922