PNP Custodial Center may extend visiting hours after jailed senators broke rules

The Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center is considering the implementation of an extended visitation schedule, from two days a week to six days a week, similar to the rules of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, PNP spokesman Chief Supt. Reuben Sindac said Friday.

 

"Of course with approval of higher headquarters, ipa-parehas na raw kami sa BJMP," Sindac said in an interview on GMA News' "Unang Balita."

 

This development comes after Superintendent Mario Malana, chief of the PNP Custodial Center, was suspended from office for supposedly failing to implement strict visitation rules for detained Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Ramon Bong Revilla Jr., Sindac noted.

 

He said the BJMP allows visitors from Tuesday to Sunday."Pag Tuesday to Friday, 1 to 5 p.m. at 'pagka-Saturday and Sunday, 8 to 5 p.m. with Monday as the general cleaning and laundry day," Sindac added.

 

The PNP Custodial Center allows inmates to have visitors only on Sundays and Thursdays, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

 

On Thursday, Chief Supt. Benito Estipona of the Headquarters Support Service ordered Malana suspended for 30 to 60 days without pay and allowances for neglecting his duty when he did not clear the detention cell of Revilla and Estrada of friends and relatives after 3 p.m. on Sunday.

 

Apart from failing to implement the rules on visiting hours, Sindac said a report from investigators noted that Malana also ignored his duty to report to his superiors what was going on in his unit. – Amanda Fernandez/VS/NB, GMA News