Security at PNP Custodial Center in disarray

Chief Superintendent Reuben Theodore Sindac. NOY MORCOSO lll/INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The manifesto of 58 high-profile detainees asking to transfer Senators Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada and Ramon “Bong” Revilla from the Philippine National Police (PNP) from Custodial Center to another jail had exposed serious problem in the facility.

Chief Superintendent Reuben Theodore Sindac, PNP Public Information Office chief, questioned the signature campaign bearing the names of 58 inmates demanding the transfer of Estrada and Revilla to a detention facility “more appropriate” for them.

“How were they able to gather 58 signatures? They are separated by sectors in the Custodial (Center) so the detainees are not supposed to see each other,” Sindac said in a Thursday press briefing.

“This is a manifestation that there are lapses in security,” he said.

On Wednesday, a five-page petition letter was sent to media. In the manifesto, detainees defended sacked PNP Custodial Center chief Superintendent Mario Malana.

Handwritten in blue ink, the signatories denounced the administrative sanctions Malana has to face, saying his relief will not stop the camp of Estrada and Revilla from breaking the jail rules..

“Hindi makalulutas ng problema ang pagpapalit ng warden dahil ang problema ay ang dalawang senador na nakakulong dito at ang sobrang tutok ng media sa kanila.
Ang tunay na solusyon ay ang paglilipat sa mga senador sa kulungang akma sa sitwasyon nila,” the letter read.

First on the list of signatories were Communist leaders Benito and Wilma Tiamzon.

Lawyer Richard Cambe, chief of staff of Revilla, also supported the appeal.

Cambe surrendered on the same day his boss yielded to police but he was detained in a smaller cell at the Custodial Center.
Lawyer Lintang Bedol, former Maguindanao election supervisor accused of rigging the 2004 and 2007 elections; Superintendent Rommel Miranda, former police spokesperson who allegedly murdered a businesswoman in 2012; Superintendent Hansel Marantan, alleged mastermind of the Atimonan rubout in 2013; and Khair Mundos, a top official of the Abu Sayyaf Group, were among those who signed the letter.
“Ang alingasngas sa madaling-araw na pag-uwi ng mga bisita sa selebrasyon ng anibersaryo sa kasal ni Sen. Estrada ay labis na pinalaki ng media reports at ngayon ang warden, si PSUPT. Malana ay pinagpapaliwanag at posibleng masampahan ng kasong administratibo at matanggal,” it added.

But earlier on Thursday, Sindac announced the relief of Malana, which was decided by the PNP Headquarters Support Service (HSS) after they found him failing to strictly implement visitation policies for the well-wishers of Estrada and Revilla.

Last weekend, custodial guards allowed relatives and friends of the two lawmakers to extend beyond the Custodial Center’s visiting rules.
Estrada sought permission from the PNP HSS to allow him to celebrate his 25th wedding anniversary with wife Precy last Saturday. As many as 81 visitors of Estrada and Revilla were allowed inside the high-security facility despite the limit of 30 visitors for high-profile detainees.

Originally posted: 4:51 pm | Thursday, July 3rd, 2014

RELATED STORIES

Custodial Center chief sacked for allowing extended visits to Revilla, Estrada

Strict PNP prison rules? Check visiting hours