(Eagle News) — The Manila Regional Trial Court has denied Mark Taguba’s bid to be allowed to remain detained in the National Bureau of Investigation, and ordered his transfer to the Manila City Jail instead.
In denying his motion, Manila RTC Branch 46 Judge Rainelda Estacio-Montesa said Taguba failed to present any proof he was facing death threats, and should therefore remain in NBI detention.
The judge noted that it was not the NBI but the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology that was mandated to place individuals undergoing trial in detention.
Taguba’s arraignment has been set to February 9.
The court also gave the prosecution 10 days to comment on the motion to dismiss filed by another accused, Richard Tan, the owner of the Valenzuela warehouse where the shabu was found.
The NBI served the warrant of arrest on Taguba, who was at that time under protective custody in the Senate, on Wednesday night.
He, Tan and seven others are facing a drug case in connection with the importation of over 600 kilograms of shabu from China in May last year.
The containers containing the contraband slipped through the country via Customs express lanes. Moira Encina, Eagle News Service
