PNP denies violating Napoles’ right to privacy with 6 CCTVs at detention cell

PNP spokesperson Senior Superintendent Reuben Theodore Sindac. INQUIRER.net File Photo

MANILA, Philippines — What invasion of privacy?

The Philippine National Police (PNP) brushed off on Sunday the claim of detained businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles’ lawyer that the installation of the surveillance cameras at her detention facility in Sta. Rosa City, Laguna, violated her right to privacy.

Senior Supt. Reuben Theodore Sindac, PNP spokesperson, said the six closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras were placed as part of the security protocol to ensure the safety of Napoles, the alleged architect of the P10-billion pork barrel racket.

Napoles, who was arrested in connection with the alleged illegal detention of primary whistle-blower Benhur Luy, is being held in an 88-square-meter bungalow inside Fort Sto. Domingo, the training school of the elite PNP Special Action Force (SAF).

“The CCTVs are placed in strategic locations and are strictly for security use only,” Sindac said in a text message to reporters.

“There is no truth that the CCTV video is being shared publicly or with the media. There is no invasion of her privacy as they are installed in the ‘common areas’ (of the detention facility),” he added.

Lorna Kapunan, Napoles’ lawyer, had decried the setting up of the CCTVs and the regular release of Napoles’ photographs and medical condition by Sindac’s office, saying they were violations of her client’s privacy.

But Sindac said Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II ordered the installation of the surveillance cameras to allow the SAF personnel to monitor Napoles’ security situation 24/7.

He said the regular updates on Napoles’ medical condition and the release of her pictures inside the detention facility were meant to assure the public that the government was not extending special treatment to Napoles, who had arguably become the most photographed detainee in the country.

“The release of her pictures is to ensure transparency in the detention of (Napoles),” Sindac said in a previous interview.

Malacañang has also defended the PNP in making public Napoles’ condition, with presidential deputy spokesperson Abigail Valte saying that it was done “for the sake of transparency.”

On the seventh day of her detention at the police training camp, Sindac said Napoles was served with egg omelette, chicken longganisa and rice for breakfast.

He said her blood pressure was 140 over 90 while her body temperature was 36.5 degrees Celsius.