Bong’s lawyers fear for client’s safety

MANILA, Philippines - Expressing concern over his safety, the lawyers of Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. has asked the Sandiganbayan not to allow his transfer to Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.

Revilla’s counsels asked the Sandiganbayan First Division on Friday to deny the motion of state prosecutors to reconsider its Sept. 4 resolution denying the senator’s transfer.

They said his transfer would “potentially expose” him and other detainees in Camp Bagong Diwa to possible threats to safety and security.

The prosecution again failed to provide any compelling and reasonable grounds for the transfer of detention of the senator, they added.

Revilla is facing plunder charges before the anti-graft court in connection with the pork barrel fund scam.

His lawyers cited the testimony of Bureau of Jail Management and Penology-National Capital Region director Senior Superintendent Romeo Vio before the Fifth Division during a hearing on the jail transfer of Sen. Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada on Aug. 29.

Vio testified that there had been prior incidents of riots in Camp Bagong Diwa, which even resulted to deaths, adding there is a high possibility of a similar incident given the issue of congestion, lack of personnel and the presence of high profile detainees such as the Abu Sayyaf and the Ampatuans.

The Fifth Division based its decision denying Estrada’s transfer to Camp Bagong Diwa on Vio’s testimony.