Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 22) — The Supreme Court (SC) has directed the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to comment on the petition regarding the alleged unlawful detention of ex-army reservist Marvin Miranda, one of the suspected masterminds in the murder of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo.
Miranda’s mother, Conchita Miranda, has asked the SC for the issuance of a writ of habeas corpus, which is a safeguard against illegal detention.
The writ of habeas corpus commands a person or entity who has detained an individual to produce the latter at a designated time and place so that the court can determine whether or not the deprivation of liberty is lawful. If it isn’t, then the detainee must be released.
The high court said its First Division issued a resolution on April 17 requiring the NBI to comment on the petition within a non-extendible period of ten days from notice thereof. The SC Public Information Office received the notice only on June 22, Thursday.
In her plea, Conchita also asked the SC to issue a protection order prohibiting the NBI from committing or attempting to commit any act violative of Marvin’s rights, as well as an order to suppress any evidence which emanated from Marvin’s supposed \”illegal\” arrest.
Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos previously said Marvin was a long-time bodyguard of suspended Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves, who was also tagged as a mastermind in the Degamo killing.
