‘Drug lord’ inmate wants return to Bilibid

MANILA, Philippines – One of the inmates targeted in a government operation designed to weed out illegal activities inside the New Bilibid Prison asked the Court of Appeals (CA) to issue a Write of Amparo in his favor, as well as issue a temporary protection order against several government officials.

In a petition released to media on Monday, December 22, Marilou Golloso Martinez Raguro, on behalf of his brother, convicted kidnapper Noel Martinez, argued that the transfer of Martinez from Bilibid to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) headquarters in Manila is “illegal” because it violates the rules of court.

Raguro also asked the court to allow her brother to receive visitors and lawyers in accordance with the Bureau of Correction’s rules.

Named as respondents in the case were the justice department, the Bureau of Corrections, and the NBI. Raguro and Martinez, through their counsels, said the respondents had violated Martinez’ rights “for having been detained incommunicado and derived the right to counsel.”

‘Shock, refused entry’

Martinez is one of 19 “high profile” and “high risk” inmates from Bilid that were transfered to different venues following a joint operation by several government agencies.

“To Petitioner’s shock, she learned from said news reports that his brother, Noel, was among some eighteen (18) inmates who were branded as drug lords and were ‘plucked out from the maximum security compound,'” read the petition. 

During the surprise Bilibid trip led by De Lima, authorities discovered lavish “kubols” or quarters owned by inmates inside the Maximum Security Compound. (IN PHOTOS: Drug lords, murderers, and high living in Bilibid)

Also seized during the visit were illegal drugs, firearms, millions in cash, flat screen TVs, sex toys, and jacuzzis, to name a few.

Based on records from the Bureau of Corrections, Martinez has been in jail for over 14 years since he was declared guilty of kidnap-for-ransom charges.

In the petition, Martinez’ sister said he only knew about her brother’s transfer through news reports.

A day after the inspection, Martinez’ lawyers tried to visit him at the NBI headquarters “in an attempt to check on his condition and confer with him personally especially since the raid appears to have given rise to new allegations.”

But they claimed they were refused entry by NBI security “on the excuse that Secretary De Lima had standing orders which prohibited any visit of Noel and his companion inmates without a clearance from her.”

His lawyers were told to secure a clearance from De Lima in writing. They said in the petition that De Lima has yet to act on their request. – Bea Cupin/Rappler.com