Retired American serviceman Victor Pearson, 59, convicted of rape on two counts was transferred yesterday to the national penitentiary in Muntinlupa.

Pearson, who had been detained at the Negros Occidental Provincial Jail in Bacolod City , had appealed the order for his transfer, saying he still had another pending rape case before the Kabankalan Regional Trial Court, but his bid was denied by Judge Henry Arles.

Pearson had been meted an 80-year sentence for two counts of rape.

The judge said in his order that the commitment of Pearson to the national penitentiary is pursuant to Memorandum Circular No. 2007-29 issued by Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno that directs the provincial warden of Negros Occidental to transfer high-risk detainees.

The determination of Pearson as a high-risk detainee by the warden appears to be in order as he has been convicted of two counts of rape and sentenced to reclusion perpetua for each count, Arles said.

Pearson, while convicted of two counts of rape in August 2002, involving a 15-year-old girl, maintains that he is innocent of the charges filed against him. He said he is confident the Court of Appeals will reverse the decision against him.

The court does not believe that the change of detention of Pearson will impair his preparation for his defense as he claimed, Arles added.

Pearson, a retired member of the US Marine Corps from Oregon , was arrested at his house in Barangay Andulawan, Ilog, in August 2001.*CPG

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