PNP defended on decision to confine Enrile in hospital

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—A Sandiganbayan Justice told the prosecution panel that the police did not defy the court when it rushed Senator Juan Ponce Enrile to the hospital after he surrendered.

Associate Justice Samuel Martires on Tuesday was reacting to the prosecutor’s claim that the police did not inform the court about confining Enrile due to his abnormal heart sound and high blood pressure.

The prosecution panel led by Annielyn Cabiles said the police confined Enrile in hospital even without a commitment order from the Sandiganbayan on where Enrile should be detained.

“The Philippine National Police confined Enrile without informing the court,” Cabiles said.

But Martires said it is the judgement call of the police whether or not to confine Enrile in the hospital.

“It is the judgement call on the part of the jail warden to bring the inmate to the nearest hospital,” Martires said.

The Justice also cited the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights as saying the accused should be rushed to the hospital in case of an emergency.

According to Enrile’s motion for bail, which was later junked by the court, Enrile has the following illnesses: Diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, chronic hypertension, extensive coronary artery calcification in the right coronary, age-related macular degeneration, elevated blood fasting sugar, mild anemia, and eight other diseases.

Also, according to a medical certificate from the Makati Medical Center and attached to the bail motion, Enrile is also under 22 maintenance medicines for his illnesses. He takes 21 tablets and needs an injection.

Enrile has filed a motion for hospital arrest, citing his “advanced age and frail condition.”

Enrile was charged with plunder and graft over the pork barrel scam. He surrendered to the police after an arrest warrant was issued.

While the commitment order from the court detailing his place of detention is pending, Enrile is in the PNP hospital due to hypertension and an abnormal heart murmur.

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