Court junks NBI plea to retain custody of 4 Chinese nationals

BALER, Aurora — The regional trial court here denied the urgent motion filed by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) seeking to retain custody of the four Chinese nationals facing charges in connection with the raid of a clandestine shabu laboratory in Dingalan town last August.

In a two-page order issued by RTC Branch 66 Judge Armando Yanga, NBI Director Nestor Mantaring was ordered to transfer the custody of Sy Tho, Whang Tha Ti, Chin Na Chua and Chen Chien to the provincial jail in Barangay Suklayin here within a non-extendible period of 10 days from receipt of the copy of the order.

The court noted that the accused should be transferred and properly detained at the provincial jail in Suklayin. It cited that "as a matter of right, the accused would like to be present at every stage of the trial, especially when the prosecution would be presenting its evidence."

It further added that any further investigation to be conducted by other concerned offices may be done in Metro Manila.

Last month, the court ordered Mantaring to transfer custody of the four accused to the provincial jail but the NBI filed the motion.

The issuance of the order came a day after the court heard oral arguments on the motion filed by the NBI, which was represented by assistant provincial prosecutor Dante Sindac.

House deputy minority leader Juan Edgardo Angara has vehemently opposed the transfer of the four Chinese nationals to the provincial jail due to its remoteness, and the fact that it is away from the prying eyes of the media and the attendant security risks, such as the possibility of a jail break.

He said that the four, believed to be members of a big-time syndicate, may even operate from jail.

The court said, however, that more than adequate security measures are in place for the transfer of the four Chinese nationals to the provincial jail.

Though there is the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Philippine Army will be tasked, if necessary, to augment security arrangements at the jail.The court also gave the NBI authority to inspect the premises of the provincial jail.