PNP gears up for first court appearance of Bong Revilla
Sen. Bong Revilla having his finger print taken at Camp Crame. FILE PHOTO/PNP
MANILA, Philippines—Security measures are in place for the first movement of Senator Ramon “Bong Revilla Jr. outside jail to attend the arraignment at the Sandiganbayan for his plunder and graft charges in connection with the multi-billion pork barrel scam.
Joining Revilla in the arraignment is his former legislative staff and now fellow detainee Richard Cambe and the P10-billion scam’s alleged brains Janet Lim-Napoles.
Chief Superintendent Reuben Theodore Sindac, Philippine National Police Public Information Office (PNP PIO) chief, said in a press briefing that several police units will be tapped to ensure the security of the high-profile detainees.
For Revilla and Cambe, who are currently detained at the PNP Custodial Center, personnel of Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) will be leading the security from their transfer from Camp Crame to Sandiganbayan.
“(Also), the group here will be supported by the National Capital Region Office (NCRPO), particularly the Quezon City Police District (QCPD),” Sindac said.
From Fort Sto. Domingo in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, Napoles will be escorted by the Special Action Forces (SAF) police and Calabarzon Regional Public Safety Battalion (RPSB).
Napoles is now detained at the high-security SAF camp in Laguna for her serious illegal detention charge filed by pork scam whistleblower Benhur Luy.
“Aside from the (Calabarzon) police, Highway Patrol Group, NCRPO, and other allied support units will secure Napoles’ transfer,” he added.
Last June 20, Sindac said the Fort Sto. Domingo has already received the arrest warrant for the plunder charge of Napoles.
Revilla’s cellmate Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, meanwhile, will be arraigned on June 30.
The Ombudsman, in indicting Revilla, said the movie actor-turned-senator collected P224.512 million in kickbacks from 2006 to 2010 from the alleged illegal disbursement of his Priority Development Assistance Funds (PDAF). Revilla faces one count of plunder and 16 counts of graft.
Also accused are Napoles’ employee John Raymund De Asis, and Napoles’ nephew Ronald John Lim.
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