Baka ihawin sila! Duterte admits ordering transfer of witnesses vs. De Lima to Marine barracks

compiled photo from UNTV (ctto)

Naga City, Cebu - President Rodrigo Duterte issued the statement Friday during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Naga Permanent Housing Project in Naga City, Cebu.

Duterte said he ordered the transfer of 10 high-profile inmates who testified against Sen. Leila de Lima from New Bilibid Prison (NBP) to the Philippine Marines Barracks in Taguig City for their safety.

He said he refused to send the inmates back to the state penitentiary because he feared they will be killed by De Lima’s supposed henchmen once they testify against her.

“There are issues being raised that I didn’t send some to prison, the penitentiary — Muntinlupa. I handed them over to the Marines. Why? Because I was scared that De Lima would have more henchmen and witnesses. They will really be killed. By then no one would be able, to tell the truth,” said the President.

“I’m telling you now. It was me. I was the one who gave the orders,” he added.

According to recent reports by the CNN PH, there are ten high-profile convicts, including the drug lords who testified against de Lima over her alleged involvement in the illegal drugs trade inside the NBP, have been transferred to the Marines’ barracks.

Among the inmates transferred to the Marines’ facility were Hans Anton Tan, Jojo Baligad, Vicente Sy, Froilan Trestiza, Nonilo Arile and Joel Capones. They linked De Lima’s involvement in the alleged drug trade inside the national penitentiary.

While others include Chua Che Ket, Rico Caja and Allan Senogat who were also moved into the marine’s facility.

De Lima said, seven of the 10 inmates had testified against her on the alleged links to the drug trade at the NBP during her time as justice chief. The convicted senator had denied the allegations, saying the charges were political persecution.

Source: Politiko