MANILA, Philippines — Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to investigate a fake memorandum circular ordering the return of 12 high-profile inmates from the Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm in Occidental Mindoro to the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City.
In the document, Remulla supposedly instructed Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Gregorio Catapang Jr. to transfer “back to NBP custody” Noel Martinez, Jerry Pepino, Herbert Colangco, Tomas Donina, Jaime Patio, Rodolfo Magleo, Engelberton Durano, German Agojo, Hans Anton Tan, Joel Capones, Peter Co and Nonilo Arile.
Remulla said the memorandum circular, dated Sept. 8 and bearing his signature, was emailed to various officials and offices of the Department of Justice (DOJ).
The document stated that the inmates are under the DOJ’s witness protection program and have testified against detained former senator Leila de Lima in the drug cases against her.
Remulla yesterday denied issuing the memorandum circular, saying that either DOJ or BuCor employees may be involved.
“We asked the NBI to find out who is behind the fake memorandum and we will find them,” he said.
Remulla said the 12 inmates, if found to have had a hand in the issuance of the fake document, could have their prison terms extended and their benefits forfeited.
Government employees who are also found to be involved could be charged with falsification of public documents and sentenced to imprisonment.
They could also be removed from service, according to Remulla.