Revilla medical quarantine ends this week

MANILA, Philippines — The medical quarantine of former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and his co-accused in the alleged anomalous flood control projects in Pandi, Bulacan is expected to end tomorrow or Wednesday, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology said.

BJMP spokesman Jayrex Bustinera yesterday said the situation inside the Quezon City Jail has remained normal, with no reported health or security concerns during the quarantine period.

In an interview over dzBB, Bustinera said Revilla was separated from four former Department of Public Works and Highways officials, his co-accused, following a request from their lawyers due to security concerns.

“Their statements are allegedly against the former senator, so there was a security risk,” Bustinera said.

Revilla is detained alone in one cell, while the four former DPWH officials are housed together in an adjacent cell, he added.

Bustinera said the seven-day quarantine includes medical, security and risk assessments, as well as interviews with other persons deprived of liberty to determine possible threats before detainees are mixed with the general population.

“We do not want anything to happen to them while they are under our custody,” he said.

He also confirmed that the Sandiganbayan conducted a surprise inspection of the Quezon City Jail amid a petition seeking Revilla’s transfer to another detention facility.

“The magistrates inspected the cells of the accused, as well as other functional areas such as the visiting area, lawyers’ area, kitchen, library, education holding area and offices,” Bustinera said.

“They also saw that the jail is capable of online hearings and visits, and so far, the feedback was positive,” he added.

Once the quarantine ends, Revilla is expected to join the general jail population, where BJMP policy limits occupancy to no more than 10 detainees per cell, with one bed per inmate.

Addressing claims of preferential treatment, Bustinera denied that Revilla was given special privileges, including allegations that he was not handcuffed during court hearings.

“He was handcuffed from the jail to the Sandiganbayan and back. The video circulating only showed the moment when the handcuffs were temporarily removed inside the court, which is protocol depending on the judge,” Bustinera said.