Legarda seeks probe

Senate Majority Leader Loren Legarda has urged Commissioner Andrea Domingo to look into allegations that American Perry Mcneely, a retired airline pilot facing multiple child sexual molestation charges, is enjoying VIP treatment at the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation (BID) jail in Bicutan, Taguig.

"We were told that the suspect has allegedly managed to bribe jail guards, who have allowed him to use teenaged commercial sex workers in his cell," Legarda said.

Legarda also said Mcneely, 60, allegedly enjoys other perks, including the personal use of a cellular phone. She said Mcneely was shown using a cellular phone in a recent photo of BID detainees published in a national newspaper.

"As far as we know, there is a standing rule that prohibits detainees from owning or using cellular phones," Legarda pointed out.

The senator said the alleged special treatment had allowed Mcneely to harass his victims and their witnesses "through remote control."

Because of his cellular phone and other conveniences, Legarda said Mcneely has allegedly managed to move large bank deposits which he has been using to either try to bribe his victims or to buy false witnesses to testify in his favor.

Mcneely was arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation in a hotel in Lahug, Cebu City in February last year. Various sex gadgets and pornographic materials were sized from two hotel rooms that he rented.