Tiamzons ask SC to change trial venue

MANILA, Philippines - Suspected New People’s Army (NPA) leaders Benito and Wilma Tiamzon have appealed before the Supreme Court (SC) the transfer of the trial of their cases to the Philippine National Police Custodial Center at Camp Crame where they are detained.

In a motion filed earlier this week, the Tiamzon couple asked the high court to reconsider its administrative order transferring the venue of their trial for kidnapping and serious illegal detention from the Quezon City Hall of Justice.

The SC order, issued upon the request of Quezon City Regional Trial Court Executive Judge Fernando Sagun Jr., was prompted by the protest action held last year by farmers to show support for the Tiamzons.

The protesters outnumbered the policemen stationed in the area.

The high court likewise approved the installation of metal detectors and closed-circuit television cameras in the Quezon City Hall of Justice.

In their appeal filed through the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers, the Tiamzon couple said they were deprived of their right to due process.