Budget for Napoles, Arroyo’s security questioned

Senator Nancy Binay. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – A senator on Monday questioned the amount of money being spent by the government in securing high-profile detainees such as Janet Lim-Napoles and former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

During a Senate finance committee hearing on Monday, Senator Nancy Binay asked Director General Alan Purisima, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, how much was being spent to provide security to Arroyo in the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) and Napoles in Fort Sto. Domingo Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

“Are we providing security for Arroyo up to now?” Binay asked Purisima. “How many personnel? How much are their salary and allowances?”

“In the case of M. Janet Napoles, how many people are providing security for her?” she further asked.

Purisima said that there were two women police that were providing close-in security and around 20 personnel manning checkpoints and providing overall security.

“That excludes the security that has to be provided when Napoles attends court hearings?” Binay said.

Purisima confirmed that road security and escorts are not included.

“More or less do you have an idea how much the government was spending when it comes to securing high-profile accused?” Binay again asked.

“We will account all the expenditures being made and we will it submit to you,” Purisima said.

Napoles, the alleged mastermind of the billion-peso pork barrel scam, has been transferred to the PNP Special Action Force headquarters and training camp in Fort Sto Domingo from Makati City Jail.

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