Kalinga’s high-risk rebel detainee moved to Baguio jail

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – Kalinga’s top rebel leader Kennedy Bangibang, who was arrested in Buguais, Benguet in February this year was transferred to Baguio City Jail due to security risks at the provincial jail.

Bangibang was brought to Baguio City on Thursday shortly after the hearing of his cases in a Tabuk City court. He asked for an explanation and court order of his transfer, but did not get any from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), according to Jude Bag-o, spokesperson for the Baguio-based Cordillera Human Rights Alliance (CHRA).

The group is monitoring the situation of Bangibang and the other political detainees in the highland region.

Relatives of Bangibang, reportedly a consultant of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) on Cordillera and National Minority Affairs, tried but failed to prevent the policemen from taking him.

It was later found that Judge Marcelino Wacas has issued an order for Bangibang’s transfer three months ago. 

Lawyers Rito Bungaoen and Francis Calsiyao, counsel for the rebel leader, claimed they did not receive any copy of the order until 30 minutes before Bangibang’s transfer to Baguio City.

BJMP Tabuk Warden Crispin Dornagon Jr. requested Bangibang’s transfer as he noted that the provincial jail is not a secure place to hold the rebel leader, whom he considered as a “high risk” inmate. 

Dornagon also requested that Bangibang’s hearing venue be moved to Baguio.