On detained mayor: NBI-8 denies alleged VIP treatment

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines – The National Bureau of Investigation-Region 8 yesterday denied allegations of giving preferential or VIP treatment to Mayor Jay Ilagan of Mataasnakahoy town of Batangas, who has been detained for charges of rape and human trafficking allegedly committed in Ormoc City.

There were also reports reaching the local media that the mayor was not actually confined to the NBI lock-up cell, but in an air-conditioned room with all comfort and amenities.

Ben Panican, officer-in-charge of NBI-8, vehemently denied these allegations saying that the agency had been implementing a more secure and fair enforcement of the law without any VIP treatment to high-profile detainees like Ilagan.

“We cannot do that; in fact anybody can find out the real status of Ilagan here. We are guided by the rules and that is only we can give him,” Panican declared.

The Freeman yesterday morning met with Ilagan while taking his breakfast with his visitors at the rooftop of the NBI-8 building. In a brief talk with the mayor, he said he was saddened by the baseless accusations, which were contrary to the real situation he had been experiencing as a detainee.

“No. I am sorry. That’s a blatant lie and politically motivated accusations hurled against me and the NBI authorities securing me. Look, after I entertain my visitors here, I have to go back to my cell where I am usually occupying now. I can’t afford to abuse the rule of law and so I have to respect what is only allowed under the provisions in taking care of a prisoner,” Ilagan told The Freeman.

A couple of weeks ago, Ilagan voluntarily surrendered to NBI-Manila, due to a warrant of arrest issued by the Regional Trial Court-branch 32 in Ormoc City for the criminal charges filed against him in 2014.

The 19-year-old woman complainant from Quezon City was allegedly brought by Ilagan to Ormoc sometime in 2013, promising her for work in a beauty parlor, but she was allegedly repeatedly raped by mayor instead.

During his arraignment last week, Ilagan pleaded “not guilty” to the charges, but appealed to the court that he be placed in custody of the NBI-8 in Tacloban City instead of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology for security reasons.

The RTC judge subsequently granted the motion of Ilagan’s lawyer who contended that his client will be more secure at the NBI-8 in Tacloban compared to being at the Ormoc City Jail.

The court had scheduled a court hearing on Friday, and Ilagan, who insisted on his innocence to the charges, said he was optimistic that he can get justice and that these fabricated charges will not succeed.

This May 9 elections, Ilagan is seeking for reelection under the Liberal Party, while his wife is running for a second term as vice mayor. (FREEMAN NEWS)