Roxas inspects Napoles’ would-be detention cell at Makati City Jail

Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II visits the Makati City Jail Thursday night to ensure the security at the would-be detention cell of Janet Lim-Napoles, the alleged mastermind behind the P10 billion pork barrel scam. PART 1

MANILA, Philippines — Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II visited the Makati City Jail Thursday night to ensure the security at the would-be detention cell of Janet Lim-Napoles, the alleged mastermind behind the P10 billion pork barrel scam.

Following the arrival of Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Alan Purisima, Roxas briefly inspected the jail facility that will accommodate the “high-risk” Napoles

“In the female section, 103 inmates occupied the two cells. We cannot separate the hundred plus detainees to give way for a highly-secured cell for Napoles,” he said.

Roxas said the PNP and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) were considering to seek a safer but temporary holding area for Napoles.

“With Napoles being the center of the [pork barrel] controversy, we cannot afford to risk her safety. She can reveal evidence and information that would help the pork barrel scam investigators,” he added.

Roxas told the media that President Benigno Aquino III reminded him to ensure the security of Napoles.

“Mar, we are accountable if something happens to her [Napoles]. What will the people think if she gets into danger? That we are guilty and obstructing the truth?” Roxas said, quoting Aquino.

But Roxas assured that Napoles will definitely de detained in Makati City Jail in compliance with the decision of Judge Elmo Alameda of Makati Regional Trial Court branch 150.

“We will make sure that Napoles will face the trial in the court safe,” he said.

Napoles former maid

Meanwhile, Roxas said that according to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, a former Napoles maid is also detained at the Makati City Jail.

Cadelina Domingo was charged with qualified theft for allegedly stealing some of the businesswoman’s belongings. Domingo denied her former boss’ accusations saying that it was all a set-up.

Roxas said Domingo could be a risk factor for Napoles.

Arraignment

The Makati RTC has set an arraignment for Napoles on September 9 at 1:30 pm.

Napoles came to the Palace with her husband Jimmy and lawyer Lorna Kapunan Wednesday night to voluntarily surrender herself.

She was charged, along with her brother Reynald Lim, with serious illegal detention of her distant relative and scam whistleblower Benhur K. Luy.

Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II visits the Makati City Jail Thursday night to ensure the security at the would-be detention cell of Janet Lim-Napoles, the alleged mastermind behind the P10 billion pork barrel scam. PART 2

Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II visits the Makati City Jail Thursday night to ensure the security at the would-be detention cell of Janet Lim-Napoles, the alleged mastermind behind the P10 billion pork barrel scam. PART 3

Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II visits the Makati City Jail Thursday night to ensure the security at the would-be detention cell of Janet Lim-Napoles, the alleged mastermind behind the P10 billion pork barrel scam. PART 4

Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II visits the Makati City Jail Thursday night to ensure the security at the would-be detention cell of Janet Lim-Napoles, the alleged mastermind behind the P10 billion pork barrel scam. PART 5