Jail cannot accommodate all 274

Jail cannot accommodate all 274

MNLF detainees if brought to city

ZAMBOANGA CITY (ZNS) -  The city jail will not be able to conveniently accommodate or house the 274 members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) now in Taguig City facing charges in connection with the September 9, 2013 attack of the city.

A recent resolution of the Supreme Court mandates the hearing of the cases against the suspects in two venues, Taguig and Zamboanga  City.

While the general understanding in the hearing of the cases are that the detainees will not be brought to Zamboanga as the it will only be the witnesses that will be called to the stand in the regional trial court in the city.

There is no  saying that the MNLFs could demand that they be allowed to confront their accusers in person.

“Wala na tayo lugar, “ said City Jail Warden Sr.Supt. Julius Aro of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).

The city jail is now packed with h 1,500 inmates and that there will be no other space for the MNLF in the facility.

Aro said that if and when there is the order coming from the Supreme Court , the bureau can not do anything  than to follow orders to accept them ( 274 MNLF’s)  .

“If that is an order, we have to follow it,” Aro said.

Aro said that if this will happen it will be a “big  problem” in the bureau particularly  on the security concern preparations  .

That,  the normal procedure is that  they (274 MNLFs ) will be placed together with the inmates  as they can not given an  exclusive cell  for their use, he said .(Letty M. Militante) (090914)