Muntinlupa Court Orders Key Inmates’ Transfer Back to NBP
In a significant development, the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 206 has granted a request from defense lawyers representing former senator Leila de Lima. The court ordered the transfer of 11 high-profile inmates, including convicted drug lords Herbert Colangco and Wu Tuan Yuan (alias Peter Co), back to the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) from their current incarceration at the Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm in Occidental Mindoro.
This decision, detailed in a four-page order dated December 13, responds to concerns raised by these inmates regarding their safety and the safety of their families. The inmates, who had been relocated to the Sablayan facility, expressed fear that their lives were in danger and claimed they had been coerced into testifying against de Lima. This testimony is crucial in the ongoing case against the former senator, who has been temporarily released while her trial continues.
The order includes the transfer of other inmates such as German L. Agojo, Tomas B. Doniña, Jaime V. Patcho, and Engelberto Durano, all of whom are tied to high-profile cases involving drugs and other criminal activities. The transfer back to the NBP is a move that de Lima and her defense team believe will ensure the safety of these inmates and possibly affect the outcomes of their testimonies.
Peter Co and German Agojo are among the remaining “Bilibid Kings” linked to de Lima, following the deaths of two others during the COVID-19 pandemic. Colangco, known for his testimony in the House of Representatives about corrupt practices inside the NBP, is another critical figure in this case. His testimony had previously highlighted the corruption within the prison, including illegal activities such as smuggling contraband and bribing officials.
The decision to return these inmates to the NBP is expected to have significant implications for de Lima’s case. The former senator, who has consistently denied the charges against her, has argued that the testimonies were made under duress. The upcoming developments in this case will likely hinge on the safety and reliability of these key witnesses.
