PNP assigns ‘tasters’ for Napoles meals

Janet Napoles. PHOTO courtesy of PNP-PIO and PNP-SAF photographers

MANILA, Philippines—Food tasters will be assigned to check the food being served to Janet Lim-Napoles to ensure she will not be poisoned while detained inside Fort San Sto. Domingo in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, a Philippine National Police official said.

Senior Superintendent Reuben Theodore Sindac, PNP-Public Information Office chief, said the designated cook will have to taste it first before it is delivered to Napoles.

And when the food gets to Napoles’ room, her two guards from the Special Action Force will have to taste it again.

“We take this into consideration,” Sindac quoted SAF Commander Carmelo Valmoria as saying.

Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II earlier said Napoles will be supplied of the same food given to trainees inside the SAF training camp.

Napoles had ham, egg and rice for breakfast; boneless bangus, rice and banana for lunch; and will have pinakbet and rice for dinner.

In the face of public criticisms saying that Napoles has been receiving special treatment from the time she surrendered to President Benigno Aquino III last week, Roxas has repeatedly said they wanted to make sure that nothing will happen to Napoles.

Her testimony on the pork barrel scam is awaited and the public expects politicians involved in the racket will be named by the businesswoman.