Inmates just taunting Marzans, cops say

MANILA, Philippines - Inmates are just taunting the couple accused of physically abusing their former helper, officials said yesterday, adding that Annaliza and Reynold Marzan will not be hurt while in detention.

As the news broke that the couple were to arrive at the Quezon City Female Dormitory, where Annaliza, is now detained, female inmates chanted: “Ready na kami dito. Ready na ang mga plansta namin (We are ready here. Our flat irons are ready).”

They were apparently alluding to allegation made by Bonita Baran that Annaliza used a flat iron on her face.

But Senior Jail Officer 4 Eduardo Cuaresma, officer of the day at the female dormitory situated inside Camp Karingal, said the inmates were probably just “taunting” the new detainee. Cuaresma said inmates do not even have flat irons while in detention. 

He added that while arguments among female inmates happen from time to time, violent physical confrontations do not occur there.

Superintendent Joseph Vela, warden of the Quezon City Jail, where Reynold is detained, also assured the safety of Annaliza’s husband.

According to Vela, Reynold has been placed in a cell where other inmates without “gangs” are kept.

Vela noted that this cell is the nearest to his office, and could immediately be checked from time to time.

“I also told the cell leader to make sure he (Reynold) would not be touched there,” Vela said in an interview.

The couple surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) recently after the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 77 in Quezon City issued a warrant for their arrest on charges of serious illegal detention, a non-bailable offense.

Annaliza was also charged with two counts of attempted homicide before the RTC and seven counts of serious physical injury before the Metropolitan Trial Court.

The couple has asked the court for them to be detained at the facility of the NBI, but Judge Germano Legaspi said he found no compelling reason to depart from Republic Act 6975, which states that persons awaiting trial shall be detained at the city jail.