Palace scores lax visitation rules on Jinggoy, Bong

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang is bothered by reports that opposition Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Bong Revilla were enjoying VIP treatment at the Philippine National Police (PNP) custodial center at Camp Crame where they are detained for the non-bailable offense of plunder.

“Certainly, we were surprised that the visitation rules were not followed,” presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said yesterday, noting that the lawmakers’ guests were reportedly allowed to hold parties in the detained senators’ cells and even stay beyond visiting hours.

“Why did they breach visitation rules? That’s what we’re trying to find out. And we want those in the PNP custodial center to explain what really happened,” he told a press briefing.

Detention rules, he said, should apply to Estrada and Revilla, especially now that their rights as detainees are curtailed.

He said PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima had ordered an investigation.

“At the same time, (Interior) Secretary Mar Roxas has also ordered the PNP custodial center to align itself with the BJMP (Bureau of Jail Management and Penology) rules,” he added.

“There’s this order from General Purisima to investigate and require those people in the PNP custodial center to explain how the visitation rules were exceeded,” Lacierda said.

But PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Reuben Theodore Sindac said there is no rule limiting the amount of food visitors can bring to detainees at the custodial center.

“If there is no rule to prohibit it, how can we stop it? The rule stated food can be sent to the detainee,” Sindac said in a briefing. Visitors of the senators were reportedly even able to bring lechon to the their cells.

Chief Superintendent Benito Estipona, Headquarters Support Service (HSS) director, said he had instructed custodial unit chief Superintendent Mario Malana to explain in writing within 48 hours why he should not be administratively sanctioned for allowing violations of detention rules.

It was not clear, meanwhile, when Roxas’ order would take effect. Under BJMP rules, visiting hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Tuesday to Sunday, with Monday designated as cleaning day.

A BJMP source said the 8 a.m. to noon period covers jail activities like religious services and livelihood programs, while 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. is for the detainees’ families.

Better facilities

Meanwhile, Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV renewed his call yesterday for improvement in jails and other detention facilities in the country.

Trillanes said that what his two colleagues had been allowed to enjoy should not be considered special treatment but rather the standard procedure of how detainees should be treated.

“In the case of Senator Bong Revilla and Senator Jinggoy, we can say that this is how all detainees should be treated in the country,” Trillanes said.

“Detainees are presumed innocent until proven guilty. So this should be how all detainees are treated,” he added.

Trillanes has proposed the adoption of an integrated prison and jail system, administered by a single government entity.

He has filed Senate Bill 793, which calls for the integration of the existing penal system into one coordinated, highly efficient and competent office to be called Bureau of Correctional Services under the Department of Justice.

“Throughout the country, the problem of congestion in jail facilities often leads to jail disturbance, escapes, substandard living conditions, poor sanitation and hygiene-related diseases, as the number of inmates in jails continues to increase,” he said.

“For this reason, an integrated prison and jail system is considered necessary to improve correctional services and solve the jail congestion problem nationwide.

“We are promoting a just and humane society and to treat detainees like dogs is not the way to go. We have to improve our detention facilities and construct new ones to make sure that these detainees will not lose their dignity while in jail,” he added.

Citing a study conducted by the United Nations Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT), Trillanes noted that the herding of individuals in cramped spaces is considered cruel, inhuman, degrading and unjust punishment.

Trillanes said the Senate has yet to take up his proposed measure.

“But in light of what’s happening now, our attention is once again called to the problem in our jails. Hopefully, this would now be given notice and approved in Congress,” he said.– With Cecille Suerte Felipe, Marvin Sy, Jess Diaz