The two Americans arrested for the murder of an American woman Sunday share a 20-square meter cell with 16 other detainees at the Mandaluyong City Police Custodial Facility.
PO3 Hamad Habbisi said no special treatment is given to suspects Troy Woody Jr., 21, and Mir Islam, 22, who have been provided consular assistance by the United States Embassy.
The US Embassy said it takes its obligations to assist US citizens abroad seriously, but clarified that it “cannot provide legal advice or effect the release of arrested US citizens.”
“We cannot represent US citizens in foreign courts,” said the US Embassy in an e-mail letter to Tempo.
Before bringing the two suspects to Cell No. 2, Habbisi encouraged the other inmates to treat the foreigners well.
“Bago namin pinasok kinausap namin ‘O eto ibang lahi ‘to. Ipakita natin na okay tayo,” Habbisi said.
The American suspects’ cellmates are charged with illegal drugs, physical injury, and shoplifting, according to Habbisi.
Without belongings, the Americans were lent clothes by their cellmates, Habbisi said.
Communication was not a problem because some of the detainees have worked previously as call center agents.
“Kaya yung mga taga call center sila mismo nakikipag-usap,” Habbisi said.
Since Islam is a Muslim, Habbisi said there are certain foods that he cannot be served with.
“Si Mir Islam ay maselan sa pagkain kasi Muslim…hangga’t maari ay non-pork na mga pagkain and siniserve sa kanya,” Habbisi said.
Woody and Islam are accused of killing Tomi Michelle Masters, a 23-year-old resident of Indiana, in a Mandaluyong condominium, stuffed her body in a large carton box which they allegedly dumped in the Pasig River last Sunday.
Habbisi said that many families of the detainees visited them last Christmas. (Jhon Aldrin Casinas)
