A group of human rights lawyers said on Monday they will
appeal the transfer of trial of suspected communist leaders Benito and Wilma
Tiamzon from the Quezon City Court Camp Crame , Quezon
City
The Tiamzons are facing charges of kidnapping and serious
illegal detention cases.
The venue of the trial was transferred from the Quezon City Court Camp Crame
Sagun's request was prompted by the protest rally held last
year where farmers and peasants group trooped to the Quezon City Court
"Such unilateral move is not only an overreaction to a
legitimate and peaceful rally during the last hearing at the premises of the
Quezon City Hall of Justice by peasants seeking the release of political
prisoners but is also a clear reprisal for a valid exercise of a basic constitutional
right," Atty. Edre Olalia, secretary general of the National Union of
Peoples' Lawyers (NUPL), said.
Olalia said that their other colleagues had difficulty
entering the police facility.
"We have to even make a manifestation before the
court," he said.
In its ruling, the SC also approved the installation of roll
up/roll down metal door, metal detector and close circuit television (CCTV)
cameras.
It directed the Office of the Halls of Justice to study and
conduct cost estimates.
"To continue the judicial proceedings inside a police
fortress under very hostile conditions and atmosphere and beyond open scrutiny
is inconsistent with the minimum requirements of due process mandating a fair
and impartial trial that requires a public hearing," Olalia said.
"The State has all the power and resources to continue
the previous security arrangements that has worked out just fine prior to such
unreasonable transfer," he added.
Olalia said that they will appeal the SC's transfer order.
The pre-trial on the case will resume on April 15, 2015.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=733936
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