PNP asked to allow De Lima to accept visitors in Crame

MANILA, Philippines — While they have been politically at odds with each other, Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. on Sunday appealed to the Philippine National Police to let detained Sen. Leila de Lima accept visitors in her detention cell, where he was also held for nearly five years for his alleged involvement in the P10-billion pork barrel scam.

“Compassion is very important in these trying times,” Revilla said in a statement as he joined members of the Senate minority bloc in asking the PNP to allow De Lima’s relatives and friends visit her at Camp Crame’s Custodial Center.

“I have been there. The only thing you look forward to is seeing your visitors, have someone to talk to and have human interaction even for a limited period,” he said.“It’s not easy to be placed behind bars alone,” he added.

Revilla was released from jail in December 2018 after the Sandiganbayan cleared him of plunder for allegedly pocketing P224.5 million in pork barrel funds. He is still facing trial for a string of graft charges for the same offense.

On Friday, opposition senators — Senate Minority leader Franklin Drilon and Senators Francis Pangilinan and Risa Hontiveros — raised their concern anew after the PNP barred De Lima’s lawyers from seeing her.

They said De Lima, President Rodrigo Duterte’s fiercest critic, had been “inhumanely being held incommunicado” since April 25.“That’s 41 days that she has not been personally seen by her staff, family or friends, who are worried about her condition,” they said.

The senators said the PNP’s arbitrariness in denying De Lima to be visited was a violation of her constitutional rights as a detainee.

While they have been politically at odds with each other, Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. on Sunday appealed to the Philippine National Police to let detained Sen. Leila de Lima accept visitors in her detention cell, where he was also held for nearly five years for his alleged involvement in the P10-billion pork barrel scam.

“Compassion is very important in these trying times,” Revilla said in a statement as he joined members of the Senate minority bloc in asking the PNP to allow De Lima’s relatives and friends visit her at Camp Crame’s Custodial Center.

“I have been there. The only thing you look forward to is seeing your visitors, have someone to talk to and have human interaction even for a limited period,” he said.

“It’s not easy to be placed behind bars alone,” he added.

Revilla was released from jail in December 2018 after the Sandiganbayan cleared him of plunder for allegedly pocketing P224.5 million in pork barrel funds. He is still facing trial for a string of graft charges for the same offense.

On Friday, opposition senators- Senate Minority leader Franklin Drilon and Senators Francis Pangilinan and Risa Hontiveros- raised their concern anew after the PNP barred De Lima’s lawyers from seeing her.

They said De Lima, President Duterte’s fiercest critic, had been “inhumanely being held incommunicado” since April 25.

“That’s 41 days that she has not been personally seen by her staff, family or friends, who are worried about her condition,” they said.

The senators said the PNP’s arbitrariness in denying De Lima to be visited was a violation of her constitutional rights as a detainee.

“As she is held at the PNP Custodial Center, it is expected that her visitors would be monitored to ensure compliance with COVID-19 health measures. There is no justifiable reason to hold her incommunicado,” the senators said.

“We strongly urge the PNP that regular visitation rights be restored so that her loved ones can be in touch with her again and attend to her needs,” they added.