High-risk NPA detainees to be transferred to secured facilities - Palace

MANILA, Philippines - Detained New People's Army (NPA) rebels who are considered high-risk will soon be transferred to "well-protected" military facilities, Malacañang said Tuesday. A Palace statement quoting press secretary and presidential spokesman Jesus Dureza said this was the latest directive from Defense secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr in the wake of a jailbreak in Quezon province last weekend. Dureza said possible jailbreak targets could be moved to the more secure AFP facilities "upon motion in the proper court" by the concerned authorities. Teodoro's directive followed last Saturday's jailbreak at the Quezon provincial jail where NPA rebels freed seven of their comrades who are facing criminal charges. The seven rebels were Gemma Carag, Cecilia Mondia, Noel Santos, Gerson Carabido, Fernando Tawagon, Arnold Valencia and Rogelio Monteverda. They are facing charges of murder and rebellion. Reports said some 30 heavily-armed NPA rebels disguised themselves in the black uniform of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and entered the jail. Top jail officials in Quezon were ordered suspended and investigated following the jailbreak. - GMANews.TV