DOJ chief: Memo faked for transfer of inmates to Bilibid

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 13) — Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla bared on Wednesday a fake document which he supposedly signed, ordering the transfer of 12 inmates in the Sablayan detention facility in Occidental Mindoro back to the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City.

The inmates are witnesses in the trial of detained former Senator Leila de Lima.

"We are turning over these documents to NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) for investigation para malaman kung paano ito lumabas, kung ano ang trail nito sa internet, at kung paano ito kinakalat sa mailing list," Remulla said, later noting that the memo was sent to official DOJ email addresses.

[Translation: We are turning over these documents to the NBI for investigation to find out how this was released, its trail in the internet, and how this was circulated in the mailing list.]

The fabricated memorandum circular was dated Sept. 8 and was addressed to Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr.

Remulla suspects a DOJ or BuCor personnel may be involved.

He also said he believes the inmates wanted to be transferred back to the NBP, as they are able to serve their sentence more comfortably there than in their detention facility in Occidental Mindoro.

"Lahat daw nagagawa nila sa loob ng maximum-security prison (sa Bilibid)…kaya gusto nilang bumalik dyan, 'yung mga nasa Sablayan." Remulla told reporters. "Kasi diyan, everything is available pagka may pera ka."

[Translation: Apparently, they can do everything in the maximum-security prison, that's why those in Sablayan want to return to Bilibid. There, everything is available if you have money.]

The DOJ chief said he and Catapang have already agreed to be cautious by validating with each other any such suspicious communications.