Argosino, Robles, Sombero want to be detained at PNP Custodial Center

Former Bureau of Immigration deputy commissioners Al Argosino and Michael Robles, as well as retired policeman Wally Sombero, have requested to be transferred to the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame, citing fears for their lives.

During the proceedings at the Sixth Division on Wednesday, chairperson Associate Justice Sarah Jane Fernandez said the commitment order for all accused stays for the meantime until the prosecution and the PNP file their comment within 24 hours, after which a ruling will be issued.

Fernandez, nonetheless, ordered the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology "to ensure the safety and security" of all the accused.

"The prosecution and the PPP Custodial Center are given 24 hours to file a comment or opposition. In the meantime, the commitment order issued by the Court remains. The director of BJMP is directed to ensure the security and safety of the accused Argosino, Robles and Sombero," Fernandez said.

Lawyer Lawrence Arroyo moved for the Sandiganbayan to grant Sombero provisional liberty since the motion to transfer is still pending, but Fernandez said "the issuance of the warrant of arrest presupposes the determination of the offense of plunder."

Fernandez also gave Ombudsman prosecutors until Monday to file their comment on the pending quashal motions of Argosino and Sombero.

Meanwhile, the camp of Robles bared to the Sandiganbayan their intention to file a motion for reconsideration on the denial of his own motion to quash.

The Sandiganbayan issued on Tuesday the order for Argosino and Robles' commitment in the Quezon City Jail annex at Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City after finding probable cause to try them for plunder.

The case against the three stemmed from the P50-million bribery scandal which the two BI officials allegedly demanded in exchange for the release of 1,316 illegal Chinese workers at Fontana Leisure Parks and Casino in Clark, Pampanga.

Threats

In their joint urgent ex-parte motion, Argosino and Robles appealed for the Sandiganbayan to transfer their detention at PNP "due to the imminent and real threats to the safety and security of both accused."

Argosino, a former practicing lawyer for 20 years, and Robles, a former public prosecutor for 10 years, also cited their relations with their fraternity brother, President Rodrigo Duterte, whose anti-illegal drug campaign Oplan Tokhang led to the arrest of many illegal drug suspects.

"President Duterte's extensive campaign against illegal drugs aka tokhang led to the arrest of hundreds of persons allegedly engaged in drug trade and/or drug use and are detained in various regular detention facilities nationwide including Quezon City Jail Annex in Camp Bagong Diwa," the motion read.

They said Camp Bagong Diwa currently holds about 500 detainees, around 300 of which are "tokhang detainees," which can limit the ability of the jail warden to secure the supposedly overcrowded jail facility.

"Considering that there are sufficient bases to state that there is a serious risk to their security and safety, and in the interest of justice there is a valid reason that both accused be transferred to much safer detention facility, which is PNP Custodial Center," Argosino and Robles said.

Sombero, in his own motion, said placing him in a detention facility in Metro Manila would endanger his life since this gives criminals, whom he helped get arrested and convicted, a chance to exact payback.

The former policeman said his detention at the PNP Custodial Center would also ensure his easy access to a medical facility in case he needs attention for his coronary artery disease, cardiac dysrhythmia, sick sinus syndrome, severe sleep apnea, exogenous obesity, and type 2 diabetes milletus.

"Accused Sombreo thus respectfully submits that detaining him at the PNP Custodial Center would ensure that he will receive readily accessible and prompt medical attention at the PNP Hospital, which is only around 200 meters away from the PNP Custodial Center," he said.

The three accused will join former Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, who is detained for plunder in connection with the pork barrel scam, and Senator Leila De Lima, who is facing drug-related charges, at the detention facility in case the Sandiganbayan grants their respective motions. —KBK, GMA News