PNP clears Revilla: He met Enrile ‘accidentally’

MANILA Philippines–Sen. Bong Revilla “accidentally” saw his fellow detainee, Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile, at the Camp Crame hospital during the latter’s birthday on Feb. 14.

This was according to the Philippine National Police, which sought an explanation from its Headquarters Support Service (HSS) on Revilla’s trip outside the PNP Custodial Center that day.

The PNP spokesman, Chief Supt. Generoso Cerbo Jr., said the senator, detained for graft and plunder in relation to the P10-billion pork barrel scam, had complained of chest pains and had to be brought to the hospital for a quick checkup.

“The senator did not escape. He sought permission from the HSS and he was allowed to leave. The HSS has explained the issue,” Cerbo said in a press briefing in Camp Crame on Tuesday.

Revilla came under fire after he allegedly attended Enrile’s birthday celebration on Valentine’s Day at the nearby PNP General Hospital where the 91-year-old senator is detained.

Photos with Enrile

Revilla dismissed as “baseless, malicious and outright lies” the claims that he attended Enrile’s birthday celebration, but photographs of him sharing a table with Enrile surfaced during a hearing at the Sandiganbayan on Monday.

The photos were taken by someone who was also present at Enrile’s 91st birthday celebration.

GOTCHA Bong Revilla (encircled) drops by the birthday celebration of fellow detained Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile on Valentine’s Day at Philippine National Police General Hospital in Camp Crame, Quezon City. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Milwida Guevara, a former finance undersecretary, has claimed that she saw Revilla at Enrile’s birthday celebration. Guevara said Revilla was allowed to stay only for a few minutes.

The HSS was the unit that escorted the senator after he complained of chest pains on Feb. 14 while in detention.

“In the HSS report, it was mentioned that they accidentally met

Enrile and there was an exchange of pleasantries between the two senators,” Cerbo said.

But it was still unclear how Revilla “accidentally” saw Enrile when Revilla was supposed to be limited to the emergency ward of the hospital, and how the photographs presented to the Sandiganbayan were taken.

Emergency checkup

Revilla was brought to the hospital at 4:27 p.m. His blood pressure was checked at the emergency ward.

According to the HSS, the senator was given medication and brought back to the PNP Custodial Center at 4:55 p.m. that day.

It was the duty officer, Senior Insp. Cecilia Tapawan, who was approached by Revilla to complain about his chest pains.

Cerbo, quoting the HSS, said Tapawan called up the hospital where the duty medical officer, Chief Insp. Raymond Santos, told them to bring the senator to the hospital for an emergency medical checkup.

Tapawan sought clearance from the chief of the custodial security unit, Supt. Lobello Fabro, who gave permission for the emergency checkup.

Asked if the HSS would be investigated, Cerbo said the HSS was willing to present its explanation about the incident should it be required to do so.

“There are protocols being followed in case of emergency situations. The HSS is willing to air their side on this issue,” said the PNP spokesman.

Cerbo assured other inmates in the PNP Custodial Center that they enjoyed the same protocol of being allowed an emergency checkup.

The PNP, meanwhile, is checking claims that Sen. Jinggoy Estrada allegedly left the PNP Custodial Center on the morning of Feb. 14 as well.

The three senators have been charged with graft and plunder in relation to the pork barrel scam allegedly orchestrated by businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles. All three are detained in Camp Crame, the PNP headquarters in Quezon City.