Bong Revilla to join general population at QC Jail following medical clearance

Former Senator Bong Revilla is set to be transferred to the general population of the New Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory on Tuesday, following the completion of the mandatory seven-day medical quarantine.

According to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), the same applies to Revilla’s four co-accused, Engineers Brice Hernandez, Jaypee Mendoza, and Arjay Domasig, and accountant Juanito Mendoza, who have also been cleared after undergoing medical quarantine.

“Yes. After seven days, which is tomorrow, ililipat po siya sa general population. At may cell assignment na na-recommend ang assessment natin, base na rin sa pinagsama-samang security, medical, at classification assessment,” BJMP spokesman Jail Superintendent Jayrex Bustinera told GMA Integrated News.

(After seven days, he will be transferred to the general population. The assessment has recommended a cell assignment based on a combined security, medical, and classification assessment.)

Bustinera said Revilla and his co-accused were found to have no health issues during their isolation period. "Walang sakit," he said.

(They didn't have any illness.)

Not with co-accused

The BJMP said that Revilla will not be housed with his four co-accused, following a request from the latter not to be placed with the former senator, whom they allegedly dragged into the case.

“Definitely not with the four because of the previous request and may merit naman ang request nila considering the nature of their case individually,” Bustinera said.

(Definitely, not with the four because of the previous request, which had merit considering the nature of their individual cases.)

When asked if there was a chance that Revilla could be placed with seven other persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) who were earlier detained at the facility in October for a separate flood control project case, Bustinera said, “Yes, it’s possible."

Pressed further if Revilla will definitely have cellmates, he replied, “Yes, that’s the instruction."

High-profile, high-risk inmate

While the BJMP has repeatedly stressed that no special treatment is being given, officials said Revilla’s condition and case cannot be disregarded due to security concerns.

“The higher the risk, the higher the level of control for movement,” Bustinera said. “For this case, high profile and high custodial risk siya dahil by nature of the case at alam naman natin na may mga possibility pa sa iba-ibang mga general population na baka may manggulo or whatever. Tinitingnan lang po natin yan.”

(He's a high-profile and high custodial risk because of the nature of his case and the possibility for someone in the general population to try to mess up things.)

Bustinera said the BJMP followed United Nations standards, which allowed PDLs at least one hour of daily sunlight exposure. Meals are also being delivered directly to inmate cells to limit movement and ensure security.

He said congestion was not an issue at the QC Jail Male Dormitory, which currently houses over 3,600 inmates in detention facilities meant for 5,000 PDLs.

Other facilities

The BJMP also said it was prepared should more detainees be jailed in connection with the controversial flood control project scam. At the QC Jail Male Dormitory alone, there are 14 vacant cells and 195 newly built cells that can accommodate additional PDLs, including a reception cell and a medical ward.

Bustinera said the BJMP was similarly prepared if other detainees linked to the flood control controversy would need to be held in other parts of the country.

“As to other facilities, nakapaghanda naman na tayo considering meron tayo sa Lapu-Lapu City, yung contractor and other co-accused. And then, kung may other ipeprepare pa, ready naman po ang BJMP. Kasi, we have 488 facilities nationwide that can cater kahit saan man po ma-file ang case,” Bustinera said.

(We're ready, considering that we have a facility in Lapu-Lapu City for the contractor and other co-accused. If there were others, the BJMP is prepared. We have 488 facilities nationwide that can serve wherever cases are filed.)

There are no jail visits on Mondays as they are designated cleaning days and are also reserved for PDL activities and scheduled court hearings. –NB, GMA Integrated News