MANILA, Philippines – Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. is appealing to the Department of Foreign Affairs to “exert legal and diplomatic efforts” and to the Philippine National Police “to coordinate with the Interpol to bring Ramona back to the country and face our justice system”.
Revilla is referring to his half-sister Ramona Belen Bautista who fled to Hong Kong Friday night but who according to a source close to the Revillas had gone on to Turkey to be with her husband.
Ramona and another sibling Ramon Joseph were implicated in the murder of their oldest brother, Ramgen Bautista, last October 28 in his home in Paranaque City. Ramon Joseph is in jail with two other suspects while Ramgen’s girlfriend, Janelle Manahan, who was with him at the time the crime was committed, identified Ramona Belen as one of the perpetrators. Manahan was shot by the suspects but survived.
“I am making an appeal to the Department of Foreign Affairs to exert legal and diplomatic efforts, and to the PNP to coordinate with the Interpol to bring Ramona back to the country and face our justice system,” said Revilla in a prepared statement that he read in a hastily called press conference Saturday night.
“At the very least Ramona owes not only our family but an entire country, appalled by a gruesome crime that has been committed, a clear explanation as to why she fled the country…,” said Revilla.
Speaking in English and Filipino, Revilla assured the PNP that it should not hesitate in its investigation and admitted that his decision not to prevent police from taking his half-brother Ramon Joseph or RJ for questioning earned him Genelyn Magsaysay’s ire.
He said, however, that he was firm in his resolve to let no one stop the police investigation “no matter who gets hurt” and that his family would accept the results.
He renewed his appeal to the PNP “to do what needs to be done according to your mandate as law enforcers”.
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