Roxas: Napoles in airconditioned prison cell, but no ‘special treatment’

Janet Lim-Napoles. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Interior  Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II on Thursday brushed off criticism that pork scam suspect Janet Lim-Napoles was getting “special treatment” even as he said she would be incarcerated in an airconditioned cell at the Makati City jail.

Roxas said in a press briefing that the room, an office converted into a cell, has a bed, an old white sofa and a desk.

Two female guards will be closely watching her inside the detention cell, he said, adding she is barred from using mobile phones.

“Her visiting hours will be just the same as other inmates. For weekdays, 1 to 5 p.m. and 8 a.m. to12 p.m. during weekends,” he added.

Napoles, the alleged mastermind behind the P10 billion “pork barrel” scam, arrived at the Makati jail at 11:20 p.m. aboard a coaster that was escorted by special forces from the Philippine National Police. She also wore a bullet proof vest.

She tried to wrap her handcuffed  hands with a white jacket because “she did not want the media to see, Roxas said.

Having gone in hiding for 14 days following a court order for her arrest, Napoles surrendered to President Benigno Aquino III Wednesday night.

Aquino had offered a P10 million reward for information leading to her arrest.

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