Gigi Reyes afraid to mingle with NPA detainees

MANILA, Philippines — Jessica "Gigi" Reyes, former chief of staff and co-accused of Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile, on Thursday appealed to the Sandiganbayan Third Division to transfer her from Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.

In her motion for consideration, Reyes' lawyers said nine female members of the New People's Army who may have a grudge against Enrile are also detained in the same detention facility.

The plea was filed after Reyes was rushed to the Taguig Pateros District Hospital due to panic attacks and seizure. She had just been transferred to Camp Bagong Diwa from the basement jail of the Sandiganbayan.

Read: Gigi Reyes rushed to hospital for 'seizures'

Reyes' camp said in the motion that Enrile, her co-accused in the cases in connection with the pork barrel scam, served as defense minister under former President Ferdinand Marcos.

"The detention of accused Reyes at the Female Dormitory of Camp Bagong Diwa with the NPA detainees, who accused Reyes will have to mingle in the common areas, poses security risks to her life and has caused her fear and contributed to her anxiety," it says.

They cited the risk as among the "compelling reasons" for her to be detained instead at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame, where Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Ramon "Bong" Revilla are detained also on corruption charges.

Enrile, meanwhile, has been allowed to stay at the PNP General Hospital, also inside Camp Crame.

Before her transfer to Camp Bagong Diwa, Reyes asked the anti-graft court to have her transfered to the PNP Custodial Center. The court refused the plea and ordered her detained at Camp Bagong Diwa. - Camille Diola