BJMP tries to move Regencia to Misor jail

By NORA SORIÑO
GSD-Iligan bureau chief

ILIGAN City–Negotiations for the transfer of detained Mayor Celso Regencia to the Misamis Oriental provincial jail in Cagayan de Oro reached a standoff as supporters of the local chief executive stood their ground outside the city jail in Tipanoy here.

Regencia’s supporters led by lawyer and personnel of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) from Cagayan de Oro started negotiations as early as 6:30 am. As of 5:15 pm, Regencia remained inside the prison facility.

Regencia’s running mate, Msgr. Jemar Vera Cruz, said a prison official from Cagayan de Oro withdrew and drove away from the entrance of the jail.

One of Regencia’s lawyers, Leo Zaragoza, said there was no written order from Judge Marissa Estabaya of Branch 44 of the Regional Trial Court of Misamis Oriental in Initao. Estabaya’s order was earlier questioned by Regencia’s lawyers.

Zaragoza said they earlier filed a motion with the Supreme Court to have said Estabaya inhibit from the case. He said the judge insisted on hearing it despite the motion.

Yesterday was supposed to be the day of arraignment of Regencia in connection with the December 2014 ambush of Rep. Vicente Belmonte Jr.. The court was also supposed to hear the mayor’s motion for bail.

On Friday, Estabaya came out with a “consolidated order” to transfer Regencia to Cagayan de Oro.

Zaragoza said the order directed the Special Action Force of the police, the Army and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to assist the BJMP in the implementation of the order.

Zaragoza said that while they cannot defy the order, they can make a legal stand on the order that was only given “orally.”