PNP seeks clarification on Napoles detention facility

MANILA, Philippines - Janet Lim-Napoles, one of the principal accused in the pork barrel fund scam, will remain under detention at Fort Sto. Domingo in Sta. Rosa, Laguna until the Philippine National Police (PNP) gets clarification from the court regarding the transfer of custody, officials said yesterday.

Napoles was supposed to be transferred on Friday night to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City, but the PNP decided to abort the transfer.

“We will seek a clarification from the court first,” PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Reuben Theodore Sindac said.

Sindac noted the Makati Regional Trial Court had ordered the detention of Napoles at Fort Sto. Domingo on charges of serious illegal detention.

Napoles, however, is also facing a plunder case before the Sandiganbayan.

On Friday, the Sandiganbayan’s Third Division ordered the transfer of Napoles to the BJMP female dormitory at Camp Bagong Diwa. Napoles is set to join co-accused Jessica Lucilla “Gigi” Reyes, who is being held in isolation at the same facility.

“We will have to clarify the jurisprudence over this situation. The PNP does not interpret the order. Even if there are similar situations, we will follow what is clearly stated in the court order. That is the standard operating procedure,” Sindac said.

A special team from the BJMP arrived at Fort Sto. Domingo at about 9 p.m. on Friday and prepared to escort Napoles to Camp Bagong Diwa.

The team, however, was ordered to stand down by the BJMP regional office and wait for further instructions, BJMP National Capital Region spokesman Inspector Aries Villaester said.

Napoles’ lawyer for the plunder case Stephen David also said the Makati court should comment on the transfer of Napoles to Camp Bagong Diwa as it was them that ordered her detention at Fort Sto. Domingo in connection with the serious illegal detention case.