Argosino, Robles, Sombero to stay detained at Camp Bagong Diwa

Former Immigration deputy commissioners Al Argosino and Michael Robles and retired police official Wally Sombero Jr. will remain detained at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City after the Sandiganbayan resolved their bids to be transferred to police custody.

Citing fears for their safety, Argosino and Robles earlier filed a joint motion to be transferred to the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

They apparently later moved to withdraw the pleading, which the anti-graft court granted on April 17.

Meanwhile, the Sandiganbayan denied Sombero's remaining motion to be transferred detention, because it appears, the court said, "that the PNP Custodial Center only accommodates detainees on a temporary basis, pending their transfer to the appropriate detention facility."

The Sandiganbayan nonetheless directed the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology to "take necessary measures to ensure the safety and security" of the three accused individuals.

Before being withdrawn and turned down by the court, respectively, the accused's motions were opposed by Police Chief Inspector Romulo Flores II, chief of the police Custodial Service Unit, and by the prosecution.

"The establishment and maintenance of the PNP Custodial Center should never be interpreted to mean that the function of management and supervision of jail facilities in the country as well as the safekeeping and disposition of detention prisoners fall within the authority of the Philippine National Police for the same, by law, is properly vested with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology," Flores said in his comment/opposition.

The resolution was signed by Sandiganbayan Sixth Division Chairperson Associate Justice Sarah Jane Fernandez, and Associate Justices Karl Miranda and Michael Frederick Musngi.

The Sandiganbayan last week issued an order for Argosino and Robles' commitment to the Quezon City Jail annex at Camp Bagong Diwa after finding probable cause to try them for plunder.

The case against the three stemmed from their alleged involvement in a P50-million bribery scandal in connection with the release of 1,316 illegal Chinese workers at Fontana Leisure Parks and Casino in Clark, Pampanga. — RSJ, GMA News