2 PNP officials face raps over Revilla visit to JPE

MANILA, Philippines - Two officials of the Philippine National Police are facing criminal and administrative charges for allegedly conniving to facilitate the unauthorized attendance of Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. at Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile during his 91st birthday celebration at the PNP General Hospital on Feb. 14.

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) recommended the filing of charges against Superintendent Eugelio Lovello Fabro, officer-in-charge of the Custodial Security Unit, and duty officer Senior Inspector Cecilia Tapaoan, both of the PNP’s Headquarters Support Service (HSS).

“Fabro and Tapaoan seemed to have connived in facilitating the visit of Revilla to Enrile,” CIDG chief Director Benjamin Magalong said in a two-page report.

Magalong said relieved HSS director Chief Superintendent Alberto Supapo; Chief Inspector Raymond Santos, duty doctor at the PNP hospital, and HSS personnel Police Officers 2 Mario Bello, Rico Padilla, Dennis de los Santos and Police Officer 1 Joelito Olayvar have no direct knowledge about the senator’s visit to Enrile.

Interior Secretary Mar Roxas had ordered an investigation on Revilla’s side trip to determine whether or not the HSS officials committed lapses.

Revilla was photographed with Enrile during the latter’s birthday party at specialty ward No. 8 at the PNP hospital.

Revilla initially denied visiting Enrile but state prosecutors presented copies of the photos to the Sandiganbayan.

Investigation conducted by the CIDG’s Major Crime Investigation Unit showed that Revilla was brought to the police hospital at Camp Crame at 4:27 p.m. on Feb. 14 for a check-up due to hypertension and severe headache.

The CIDG report showed that Tapaoan sought clearance from Fabro, who allowed Revilla to be examined at the PNP hospital.

Magalong said the result of the medical examination conducted on Revilla indicated that the senator was diagnosed with stage 1 hypertension.

“The sworn statement of the security team of Revilla, led by Tapaoan, contradicted the statement of Santos. Both Fabro and Tapaoan claimed they coordinated with the officials of the PNP hospital prior to bringing Revilla for a check-up,” the report said.

The CIDG said Revilla should have been brought to the hospital’s emergency room and not to the specialty ward where Enrile is detained.

Both Revilla and Enrile are detained on plunder and graft charges in connection with the multimillion-peso pork barrel scam.