After car bombing ZAMBO MAYOR SEEKS TRANSFER OF ABU INMATES TO METRO JAILS

By Teofilo P. Garcia Jr., Philippine News Agency

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Owing to security risks, Zamboanga City

Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco has requested the national government to transfer the suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) from the local detention facility to a more secure site in Manila.

Climaco’s request, which came after the foiled escape plan of the ASG members on Monday, was coursed through Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II.

Her request may be bolstered after an explosion Friday in a commercial section on the city’s outskirts left one person dead and 48 others injured which, she said, may be linked to the ASG’s escape plan.

“This is an SOS call for the 57 inmates to be removed and transferred for the safety and protection of the city,” she told reporters.

Police Chief Inspector Julius Arro, Zamboanga City Reformatory Center (ZCRC) warden, disclosed there are 56 suspected ASG members who are detained at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP)-administered ZCRC.

Among the suspected ASG detainees are Benzar Indama and Musang Indama, both relatives of Basilan-based ASG leader Furuji Indama.

Musang is facing charges in court for the crimes of murder and multiple frustrated murder while Benzar is charged with murder and kidnapping.

Climaco said she believes the transfer of the high profile inmates to a more secure detention facility in Manila will reduce the security risks at the ZCRC.

She said the transfer will also help minimize the trauma of the residents in the aftermath of the 21-day siege in September 2013.

The security forces in this city have been placed on heightened alert following the foiled escape plan of the ASG members.

The escape plan was uncovered when the BJMP personnel confiscated three caliber .45 pistols with 140 rounds of ammunition concealed at the bottom of two home-made concrete charcoal stoves that were delivered to a suspected ASG member detained at the ZCRC.

(Photo caption: The area in Zamboanga City where the car bomb exploded yesterday shows destroyed buildings. Manny Pinol)