CAMERA-SHY, FOR ONCE Revilla (in white shirt, his back turned against camera), detained at the nearby PNP Custodial Center, denies attending the birthday fete of Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile (encircled). CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines— Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II has ordered Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina, officer in charge of the Philippine National Police (PNP) for a “ full-dress investigation” on the alleged meeting of detained senators Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and senator Juan Ponce Enrile.
In a photo released by prosecutors, Revilla was seen partying with fellow senator Enrile during the latter’s 91st birthday on Feb. 14 at the PNP General Hospital.
According to Police Chief Superintendent Generoso Cerbo Jr., spokesman of the PNP, Espina has assigned Police Director Francisco Don Montenegro, Director for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM), to lead the probe.
“The investigation seeks to validate the circumstances behind some published photos purportedly showing both detained Senators Revilla and Enrile together when they were supposed to be confined in separate detention facilities,” Espina said.
Espina said some custodial officials of the PNP Headquarters Support Service (HSS) under Police Chief Superintendent Alberto Supapo are now under investigation.
The PNP said initial report from Supapo revealed that Revilla underwent urgent check-up at the PNP hospital at 4:28 p.m. on February 14.
The senator was escorted by the Officer of the Day and one security escort.
The report added that at 4:30 p.m, Revilla underwent monitoring of vital signs and physical check-up by the duty physician at the Emergency Ward. Medication was administered to relieve pain, discomfort and dizziness.
The same report said that Revilla and Enrile had a chance meeting at 4:52 p.m along the hallway of the PNP hospital where both detainees reportedly exchanged pleasantries.
Revilla and security escorts went back and arrived at PNP Custodial Center at 4:55PM of the same date.
Revilla, in a statement, has dismissed as “baseless, malicious and outright lies” the claims of government prosecutors that he attended the birthday celebration of Enrile.