BJMP: No special treatment for Jinggoy

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology yesterday dismissed criticism that the BJMP accorded special treatment to detained Sen. Jinggoy Estrada when the senator had his left knee examined at a private hospital in San Juan.

The Samahan ng Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto (SELDA) and Laya Campaign for the Release of All Political Prisoners scored the BJMP for bringing Estrada to the Cardinal Santos Medical Center for a meniscus tear in his left knee.

Estrada is being held at the New Quezon City Jail in Payatas on plunder charges over anomalous flood control projects.

SELDA vice chairman Danilo dela Fuente said Estrada’s condition is not considered a medical emergency and can be treated with painkillers, rest, ice packs, compression bandages and elevation.

“But the BJMP rushed him to the emergency room of a private hospital,” Dela Fuente said in a statement.

Dela Fuente cited the case of political prisoner Eduardo Serrano, who died after suffering a heart attack at the Metro Manila District Jail in Taguig in December 2016.

Dela Fuente said Serrano’s camp had to plead with jail authorities to bring him to a hospital where he died after less than three weeks.

Sought for comment, BJMP spokesman Superintendent Jayrex Joseph Bustinera reminded Dela Fuente that they did not bring Estrada to a private hospital on a whim.

Bustinera said the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division had granted Estrada’s medical leave for a knee X-ray.

“The BJMP implemented a lawful court order,” Bustinera said. “Any comparison with other cases should take into account the specific circumstances and applicable court orders in each case.”

Fernando Syquia, the orthopedic doctor who checked on Estrada, said the senator suffered a meniscus tear in his left knee.