Manila: No special treatment will be accorded to high-profile persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) in the ghost flood control projects cases, a Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) spokesperson said on Thursday. Speaking during the 2nd National Decongestion Summit at the Manila Hotel, BJMP spokesperson Supt. Jayrex Joseph Bustinera emphasized that personalities, including former senator Ramon 'Bong' Revilla, will be detained in the same facilities as the general inmate population.
According to Philippines News Agency, Revilla and his co-accused in the 'ghost' flood control project in Bulacan will be detained at the Quezon City Male Dormitory. Revilla's co-accused include former Department of Public Works and Highway's Bulacan First District Engineering Office officials Brice Hernandez, Jaypee Mendoza, Arjay Domasig, and Juanito Mendoza.
Bustinera further stated that for transparency, the BJMP recently released a video showcasing improvements at the Quezon City jail. "We just want to show na makatao, modern, humane facilities," Bustinera remarked.
Moreover, Bustinera highlighted that Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla has mandated a zero-tolerance policy concerning VIP treatment for prisoners, with violators facing potential sanctions such as charges and dismissal from service. The BJMP also plans to equip jail personnel who interact with PDLs with cameras to ensure transparency and accountability. "We trust that our workers are professional and they will follow the set rules," he concluded.
