Let PNP explain Revilla movement, Sandigan asked

MANILA, Philippines - State prosecutors are asking the anti-graft court to make officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP) explain why Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr. was able to slip out of his cell to attend the birthday party of fellow detainee and co-accused in the pork barrel scam Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile last Feb.14.

In a motion filed with the Sandiganbayan First Division, deputy special prosecutor John Turalba said police officials led by PNP officer-in-charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina should submit a detailed report on Revilla’s presence at Enrile’s birthday celebration at the PNP General Hospital at Camp Crame.

Also listed in the motion were PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Generoso Cerbo and PNP Headquarters Support Service head Chief Superintendent Alberto Supapo, among others.

“Even as accused Revilla denied partying with Senator Enrile, he could not maintain such denial in the face of clear and direct proof,” prosecutors said.

They cited photos showing Revilla and his son Jolo at Enrile’s birthday party. The Revilla camp said the senator was in the hospital for a medical emergency.

Turalba said Revilla’s being allowed to move out of his cell – although temporarily – was “a blatant violation” of the court’s June 20, 2014 order, stating that the PNP should keep the senator at its Custodial Center Barracks “and not allow the accused to be moved, removed, or relocated until further orders from the Court.”

The prosecutors noted that Revilla’s detention cell was 200 meters away from the PNP General Hospital.

“Senator Enrile’s hospital room is neither on the way of, or even near, the Emergency Room where accused Revilla should have been brought, if he indeed had a ‘medical emergency,”’ the prosecutors’ motion read.

State prosecutors said the incident validated their position that a PNP Custodial Center detention for Revilla was “improper.”

“Aside from the fact that such constitutes ‘special treatment’ not accorded to ordinary detainees, the PNP Custodial Center Barracks is not administered and staffed by jail officers who have been trained on the proper handling of persons detained during trial,” they said.

“As a result, accused Revilla was able to exploit and take advantage of the unfamiliarity of his police custodians with protocols regarding the treatment of detainees,” they added.