How true is it that Bong Revilla is being treated specially inside the detention center?
Actor-politician Bong Revilla is allegedly staying in an air-conditioned room inside the jail in Quezon City.
Revilla was detained after a warrant of arrest was served against him. This was in line with the accusation against him that he was allegedly involved in anomalous flood control projects.
Amid the accusation, Revilla reiterated his innocence, and his wife, actress-politician Lani Mercado, echoed this. His supporters also rallied behind him.
Authorities had stated previously that Bong Revilla would not get any special treatment inside the detention center. However, based on the report from the Daily Tribune, a source revealed that the former senator is staying in an air-conditioned room while he is in jail.
The source from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) Quezon City Jail, Revilla was listed in “carpeta” or the facility’s official record, and the prison cell where he was supposed to be staying.
“He was listed in the ‘carpeta’. But when no one is watching, he is staying at an air-conditioned quarter, designated and designed by Pacion,” the source said, referring to jail warden Col. Maria Lourdes Pacion.
The source added that Revilla was not actually sleeping inside his assigned cell. “Naka carpeta sa selda, pero hindi sa selda natutulog. Sa exclusive na kwarto, naka aircon siya. Ipinagawa (ni Pacion),” the source said.
According to the source, Revilla’s name was listed in the carpeta to show that there was a record, and if this was needed for verification.
“Pag may nag-verify, naka carpeta. Halimbawa sa cell no. 1, pero sa record lang yun. Pero may sariling kwarto sa itaas,” the source claimed, adding that Revilla’s special room was located near the warden’s office.
Allegedly, a Jail Officer 1 (JO1), who is close to Pacion and who also came from Ilocos, was the one assigned to guard the corridor leading to Bong Revilla’s alleged special room.
The report also stated that some guards from the Quezon City jail, who asked not to be named, said that Pacio was administering the facility based on her own protocols, including the installation of CCTV cameras in some areas used to watch what is happening inside.
It was also alleged that jail guards are not allowed to use their mobile phones to avoid taking photos of the former senator and his alleged special room.
According to the source, jail guards were told to put their personal belongings inside the locker, but they had to pay for this. “Provided that we will buy it for P2,000. Mahal na locker yan,” the source said.