MUNTINLUPA Regional Trial Court has been asked by former Sen. Leila de Lima to transfer seven inmates serving as prosecution witnesses in her drug case to another venue as there are allegedly concerns about their security.
In a manifestation with urgent motion, De Lima said she received a letter dated November 17 from the inmates where they claimed that their safety and security were “currently jeopardized.”
The four-page letter was signed by German Agojo, Tomas Doniña, Jaime Patcho, Peter Co, Engelberto Durano, Jerry Pepino, and Hans Anton Tan, De Lima said. Her counsel received it on November 20.
“Given the gravity and urgency of the claim, it is moved that the Honorable Court issue an Order for the immediate transfer of the said signatories and be asked to confirm the contents of their Letter before the Court,” she said.
The inmates are witnesses against De Lima in her case where she is accused of conspiring to facilitate the drug trade in the national penitentiary.
In September, a fake memorandum came out ordering the transfer of the same seven inmates and five others from the Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm to the New Bilibid Prison. Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla ordered that this be investigated.
De Lima was released on bail in her remaining drug case on November 13. Her motion was granted because of the insufficiency of the prosecution’s evidence to show her guilt.
