This story
was taken from Bulatlat, the Philippines's alternative weekly
newsmagazine (www.bulatlat.com, www.bulatlat.net, www.bulatlat.org).
Vol. VII, No. 7 March 19, 2007
Ocampo Back in
Manila BY
BULATLAT Bayan Muna Rep. Satur
Ocampo is back in Manila. He is again detained at the Manila Police District (MPD)
along United Nations Avenue in Manila. As early as 11:30 a.m.,
Bayan Muna third nominee and general counsel Neri Colmenares said the Regional
Trial Court (RTC) of Leyte has ordered the return of Bayan Muna Rep. Satur
Ocampo to Manila. But Philippine National Police (PNP) agents insisted on
flying him to the province of Leyte at exactly 11:54 a.m. today. Colmenares said the court
order was received by PO2 Elmer Castillo, PO2 Aya Serrano of the PNP regional
intelligence office, and a certain PO2 Negado. In his written order, Judge
Ephrem Abando said “Congressman Satur Ocampo shall remain under the custody of
the Philippine National Police National Capital Regional Police Office, Manila
Police District, Ermita, Manila, until after March 23, 2007,” the day oral
arguments on Ocampo’s petitions for certiorari and temporary restraining order
will be heard at the Supreme Court. Abando said the Leyte court
received this morning information from the PNP hierarchy that Ocampo will be
delivered to Leyte today, March 19. However, upon the delivery of the Ex-Parte
Motion for Ocampo to remain in the custody of the Manila police filed by the
Ocampo’s lawyers simultaneously at the Supreme Court and the Hilongos, Leyte
court also this morning, Abando decided in favor of Ocampo’s motion. Meanwhile, the Department
of Internal and Local Government (DILG) told the Leyte court that “the transfer
of Congressman Satur Ocampo to this court is costly on the part of the
government as he will be returned to Manila,” for the Supreme Court hearing on
March 23. The DILG also told the
court that the transfer of Ocampo was a “security risk” as he is a “high risk
person.” However, Ocampo still faces
the same risk as the court ordered the Senior Insp. Virgilio Dacara, warrant
section chief of the Western Police District, to submit the Bayan Muna solon to
the Hilongos RTC after the Supreme Court hearing on March 23. Bulatlat
© 2006 Bulatlat
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Posted 5:30 p.m., March 19, 2007