Security up as BJMP transfers 26 ASG inmates to Zamboanga

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and police forces intensified its security after 26 suspected Abu Sayyaf members who were inmates of Basilan Provincial Jail have been transferred to the prison facility here, according to officials.

Jail Chief Inspector Julius Arro, jail warden of City Reformatory Center, said the 26 inmates, tagged as high risk prisoners, were relocated Wednesday on orders of the Supreme Court.

City Mayor Celso Lobregat have already appealed to forego the transfer of the 26 suspected Abu Sayyaf detainees citing the security risk in the city,  Arro said.

Arro said he was informed by the mayor about the order of the court two weeks ago as the former was alarmed about the detainees' transfer.

However, the jail official said they have to abide by the court’s order and instead exhaust all security measures to avert any threat against the security in and outside the prison facility. 

The high court ordered the transfer of the 26 detainees from Basilan as their cases would be tried in this city.

The jail official said they have discussed with the BJMP regional office and prepared position papers to appeal the transfer of the 26 suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf instead to the Bicutan Jail in Taguig, Manila.

“We are appealing instead to the court decision to place them (26 inmates) to a more secure facility and we identified them in Manila which is the Bicutan (jail),” Arro said.

Pending the result of their possible appeal, Arro said they have strengthened the security and declared an alert status in the overcrowded prison facility. 

The city reformatory center have also coordinated with the city police office to augment the security outside the detention facility to prevent any plot or threat to spring out the suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf.

Arro said the 26 Abu Sayyaf detainees will not be separated from the local inmates as there is no exclusive cell, adding that the prison facility has been already overcrowded. 

He said they have are conducting special monitoring to avoid the 26 suspected Abu Sayyaf detainees from influencing the local inmates. 

“We are apprehensive that (influence to other detainees) might possibly happen and it will add to the security risk,” Arro added.