For their safety, several high-profile inmates who testified against Sen. Leila de Lima have been transferred to a detention facility in Taguig City upon the order of President Duterte.
The President admitted that the prisoners were removed from the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City because De Lima’s possible allies inside the penal facility might threaten their lives.
De Lima, former Justice Secretary, is currently detained at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City pending trial on drug allegations.
“There’s an issue that I did not allow some prisoners to be incarcerated in the penitentiary, Muntinlupa. I had them transferred to the Marines,” Duterte said during the groundbreaking ceremony of a housing project in Cebu Friday. “Why? Because I was afraid that De Lima still has men there, and if they testify they will be killed,” he added.
Authorities had earlier reportedly transferred 10 high-risk and high-profile prisoners, including suspected drug dealer Peter Co, to a detention facility of the Philippine Marines in Taguig. The inmates were moved to a new detention pace for supposed threats to their security.
Seven of the 10 inmates reportedly testified against De Lima on her alleged connection to the illegal drugs trade inside NBP during her stint as Secretary of the Department of Justice. De Lima has denied the allegations hurled against her.
Also in his speech in Cebu, Duterte defended that a President’s power to pardon offenses is absolute and beyond question.
“It’s my order, you do not question it, because the Constitution says it’s an absolute power. Congress does not have any part in it, it’s just me, solo,” he said. “My discretion. Why were there people that were released, pardoned? That’s on me,” he added.
Under the Constitution, the President may grant reprieves, commutations, and pardons, and remit fines and forfeitures, after conviction by final judgment.
Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Duterte has the power to the transfer the inmates.
“The President, as chief executive, has control and supervision over all offices and agencies under the Executive department,” Guevarra said yesterday. (Genalyn Kabiling)
