BJMP urged to explain Atong Ang’s transfer to Bicutan

Special Prosecutor Dennis Villa Ignacio vowed yesterday to ask the Sandiganbayan Special Division next Monday to order the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) to explain why former President Joseph Estrada’s crony Charlie "Atong" Ang was transferred to the Metro Manila Rehabilitation Center in Bicutan, Taguig from the Quezon City Jail without a proper court order.

"We will ask the BJMP to explain why they moved him without a court order," Villa Ignacio said.

Villa Ignacio wants the anti-graft court to grill Senior Superintendent Serafin Barretto, acting chief of BJMP Metro Manila, on his reasons for transferring Ang.

According to Interior Undersecretary Marius Corpus, Barretto saw the need to transfer Ang. Corpus said any warden can transfer an inmate from one jail to another if he believes that the inmate’s life is in danger.

But Villa Ignacio said the threat to Ang’s life has not yet been proven.

"It is easy to blame threats. But even Ang’s lawyer could not substantiate before the court his claim that his client’s life is in danger," Villa Ignacio said.

Villa Ignacio said the prosecution panel would first hear the BJMP’s explanation before recommending to the Sandiganbayan Special Division to cite BJMP officials in contempt for moving Ang without the proper court order.

The Special Division is the one trying the plunder case filed against Ang and his co-accused Estrada.

Meanwhile, Quezon City Jail warden Superintendent Ignacio Panti told the Sandiganbayan that he complied with the court’s order and took custody of Ang last Nov. 15.

In a two-page urgent manifestation, Panti said that on Nov. 16 at about 1:35 p.m., Barretto personally supervised and facilitated the transfer of Ang from the Quezon City Jail to the Metro Manila Rehabilitation Center in Taguig.

Escorted by eight security vehicles accompanied by Barretto and Panti, Ang arrived at around 2 p.m. on Thursday at the Bicutan jail.

Meanwhile, South sector jail warden Supt. Edgar Bolcio denied extending special treatment to Ang at the Metro Manila Rehabilitation Center.

Bolcio clarified that Ang’s detention cell at the Special Intensive Care Area (SICA) is no different from the cell of other inmates.

"What can be found inside Ang’s cell are the same things that can be seen in other detention cells such as television sets and water dispensers," Bolcio said in an interview.

As to reports that Ang’s cousin, a certain Richard, was allowed to stay with Ang in the jail, Bolcio said they allowed it because Ang needs an errand boy.

"There is no grocery or store near here and whatever he (Ang) needs, it is his cousin who goes out to get it."

Authorities are implementing tight security measures for the safety of the controversial detainee, claiming there are threats to his life. — Rhodina Villanueva