Bong Revilla in QC jail facility: No VIP treatment, says BJMP

Former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. is now detained at the new Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory in Payatas after the Sandiganbayan Third Division ordered his temporary detention.

In Jonathan Andal’s report in “24 Oras” on Tuesday, Revilla was immediately transferred to the jail where his children also followed him. 

After his mugshot was taken and undergoing the booking procedure, Revilla was issued a yellow BJMP t-shirt similar to what the other persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) are required to wear inside the facility. 

In the coming days, Revilla will be staying inside a 47-square meter facility which features five bunk beds and can accommodate up to 10 PDLs. The jail facility also has a toilet and bathroom, but the dividers are only chest-high for security reasons. 

The Bureau of Jail Management of Penology (BJMP) echoed that there will be no special treatment for the actor turned politician. 

“Commitment po ng BJMP ‘yan na walang VIP treatment na mangyayari kahit kanino pong PDL ‘yan. Talaga pong nasa policy namin na bawal ‘ho talaga ‘yan. Kung may mapatunayan na gagawa niyan eh kakasuhan po natin at mananagot,” said BJMP spokesperson J/Supt. Jayrex Bustinera. 

(It is the BJMP's commitment that no Very Important Person treatment will be given to any PDL . It is strictly against our policy. If anyone is proven to be providing such treatment, we will file charges and they will be held accountable.) 

But before Revilla is allowed to join the other PDLs, he will have to undergo a medical quarantine first that could last up to 10 days. 

“After assessment, titignan po natin. Pero definitely hindi po puwedeng mag-isa sa isang selda, may makakasama siya,” said Bustinera. 

(After assessment, we will see. But definitely, he cannot be alone in a cell, he will have companions.) 

Just like the other PDLs, Revilla will only receive an allowance of P100 to cover all his daily meals. 

“Pero kung may dala ang kanilang dalaw ay karapatan naman nila, basta lutong pagkain at subject for inspection ng ating BJMP personnel,” said Bustinera. 

(But if their visitors bring food, that is their right, provided it is cooked food and subject to inspection by our BJMP personnel.) 

PDLs are also prohibited from having a cellphone or any electronic gadgets. 

Revilla will also follow the visiting hours from Tuesday to Sunday. 

Aside from Revilla, his other four other co-accused in a malversation case in relation to the ghost flood project in Pandi, Bulacan will join him in the QC jail. These are former Department of Public Works and Highways Bulacan engineers Brice Hernandez, Jaypee Mendoza, Arjay Domasig and  finance section chief Juanito Mendoza. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News