De Lima questions delay in easing visitation limits at PNP Custodial Center

MANILA, Philippines — Detained Senator Leila de Lima has questioned the lengthy period it’s been taking the Philippine National Police (PNP) to reassess the easing of restrictions to allow her visitors in the Custodial Center.

“I wonder what’s keeping the PNP authorities from fulfilling their commitment to ease up the restrictions once the quarantine level was downgraded from MECQ to GCQ,” De Lima said in a dispatch from Camp Crame that was sent to the media on Saturday.

MECQ and GCQ respectively refer to modified enhanced community quarantine and general community quarantine – which are government-imposed lockdowns in a bid to curb the spread of the potentially deadly COVID-19.

“PNP Chief Archie Francisco F. Gamboa was quoted as saying that they would re-assess the existing ‘standard’ policy,” the senator added.

De Lima also questioned PNP’s standard policy, which followed regulations of other jails and penal facilities to suspend visitation during GCQ.

According to her, the PNP Custodial Center is not congested unlike jails under the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) and Bureau of Jail and Management Penology (BJMP).

“As we keep on stressing, unlike in other jails, there is zero congestion and zero COVID-19 cases here. There are very few PDLs in the Facility. Hence, physical distancing is no problem at all. Besides, I am in isolated detention quarters here. Alone,” she said.

De Lima likewise lamented that she wanted her family to visit her since they are her source of hope and strength after being detained for three years on what she branded as made-up drug charges.

“I am unable to see any family member, particularly my children, grandchildren, and siblings in the past weeks. For someone who has been unjustly deprived of liberty for more than 3 years already, occasional visits from my family and loved ones are an irreplaceable source of hope and strength,” she said.

On Friday, the senator’s lawyer, Chel Diokno, chief-of-staff Atty. Fhillip Sawali, and Father Flavie Villanueva tried to visit De Lima at the Custodial Center located inside the PNP Headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City. But they were prevented from doing so.

PNP spokesman Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac said in a statement that visitation privileges for Custodial Center detainees are subject to regular assessment and would depend on health risks and quarantine status.

KGA