In a 2-page decision, Makati RTC Branch 150 Judge Elmo Alameda ordered Napoles transferred to Fort Sto. Domingo in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.
Alameda said Napoles is considered a “high profile detainee” and needs a safer jail facility.
Napoles is currently detained at the Makati City Jail, but her camp claims she is not safe there.
“Ang public hatred diyan ay hindi natin ma-control because ang dami nang galit sa kanya, hindi natin alam saan manggagaling ‘yan,” said one of Napoles’ lawyers, Atty. Lorna Kapunan.
The warden of the Makati City Jail, Chief Inspector Fermin Enriquez, also recommended that Napoles be transferred to another facility due to threats to her life.
Enriquez said he cannot personally guarantee the safety of Napoles.
He said there are only 6 female guards performing custodial duties for 104 female inmates, including Napoles.
He added that only 65 personnel are guarding the 545 male and female inmates at the Makati jail.
The Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation Detection Group recommended to the court that Napoles be transferred to Fort Sto. Domingo, a training and seminar facility of the PNP Special Action Force.
“According to [the recommendation], ang facility daw doon ay mas OK. May enough security personnel compared to Makati City Jail na ‘yung ratio of inmates to security personnel is hindi talaga tama,” Clerk of Court Atty. Jospha Valencia said.
Among those who were previously detained at the Laguna facility were former President Joseph Estrada; Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Gringo Honasan; and Moro National Liberation Front leader Nur Misuari.
The facility has 2 air-conditioned bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, lounge area, television and VCD player, dining area, and kitchen area with range and oven toaster.
When Estrada was detained in Fort Sto. Domingo for plunder charges in 2001, then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was criticized for allegedly giving “special treatment” to Estrada. But then PNP chief Leandro Mendoza defended the Arroyo administration, saying Estrada as a former head of state should be allowed to keep his dignity.
Napoles and her brother, Reynald Lim, are facing charges of serious illegal detention of whistleblowers Benhur Luy. Lim is still at large.
Napoles is tagged as the mastermind of the alleged P10 billion pork barrel scam. -- Reports from Dexter Ganibe, dzMM; Ryan Chua, ABS-CBN News
source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
