Misuari’s access to media denied

Nur Misuari cannot have interviews with the media nor can he keep high-tech communication gadgets like a cellular phone or laptop computer inside his detention cell.

Free access to the media is not one of the rights granted under the law to an accused or a detainee awaiting trial, said Interior and Local Government Secretary Jose Lina Jr., in rejecting yesterday the request of the former Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) governor to talk to the media.

To support his ruling, Lina cited Section I, Rule 115 of the Rules on Criminal Procedure which governs the right of an accused, and Republic Act 7438 which governs the rights of a person arrested, detained and under custodial investigation.

In the meantime, Lina has designated DILG Assistant Secretary Abraham Iribani as the department’s official spokesman on the Misuari detention at Fort Sto. Domingo in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. Iribani will also be coordinating with the Department of Justice in the formulation of rules and guidelines on the demands of Misuari.

Lina emphasized, however, that Misuari will enjoy certain rights and privileges while in detention. These privileges include consultations with his lawyers and visits by immediate members of his family, relatives and friends, and a doctor for medical checkup.

Necessary guidelines as well as schedules for these visitations have been drawn up by the DILG and will be discussed with the DOJ, Lina said.

At the same time, he gave assurances that sufficient PNP personnel have been deployed to secure not only the camp where Misuari is detained but also where the trial will be held.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed the habeas corpus petition of Misuari and ordered that the trial on the rebellion case filed against him be held at the Calamba RTC while a courthouse is being built at Fort Sto. Domingo in Sta. Rosa.