PNP readying detention area at Crame for ‘pork’ senators

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police (PNP) is ready to accommodate Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada and Ramon Revilla Jr. once the Sandiganbayan orders their arrest and detention in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

Plunder charges have been filed against Enrile, Estrada and Revilla before the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with the pork barrel scam allegedly orchestrated by businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles.

“We are ready to execute an order from the court if directed,” PNP Public Information Office Chief Superintendent Rueben Theodore Sindac said.

Sindac said the PNP Custodial Center could still accommodate additional detainees if the Sandiganbayan orders the three senators’ detention at Camp Crame.

The PNP custodial center at present has 70 detainees, including a number of retired senior police officers led by former PNP chief Avelino Razon.

The police custodial facility is designed for up to 80 detainees.

In line with its preparations, a composite police team from various police support units has been formed should the Sandiganbayan issue arrest warrants for the three senators and direct the PNP to enforce it.

However, Sindac said once a commitment order is issued by the court for the three senators to be detained at Camp Crame, the PNP will file a motion for their transfer to other detention place, saying the PNP Custodial Center is designed as a temporary detention facility.

“In an event they (three senators) will not file a motion for transfer of detention, the PNP itself will be asking the court through a motion for their transfer because our Custodial Center can only accommodate detainees for a short period,” Sindac said.

A senior PNP official bared yesterday that he is expecting the Office of the Ombudsman to formally file plunder charges against Enrile, Estrada and Revilla before the Sandiganbayan next week.

The source also said that while the PNP leadership would not want to preempt the Sandiganbayan, they are just bracing for any eventuality in relation to the plunder case of the three senators.

“We are just preparing because we might be tapped by the Sandiganbayan and this we expect could happen anytime next week,” he said.