Businesswoman and alleged mastermind of the controversial pork barrel scam Janet Lim Napoles was successfully transferred to a detention facility in Fort Sto. Domingo in Sta. Rosa, Laguna early Sunday morning.
And though the transfer happened as early as the break of dawn at 5AM, a militant group about 100 strong did not miss the chance to form a picket in front of the said police camp in protest to the supposed “special treatment” for the suspected businesswoman. The group also called for the unabashed corruption in the Philippine government.
Philippine National Police (PNP) – Special Action Force director Chief Superintendent Carmelo Valmoria denied the allegations on some reports that Napoles was transferred to Fort Sto. Domingo by a helicopter. Valmoria insisted that she was transferred by land arrangements.
As per photo releases of PNP Public Information Office (PNP PIO) on its Facebook page, Napoles was wearing a floral-printed top, instead of the mandatory yellow shirt worn by “regular” inmates.
Also, according to the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC), Napoles received several privileges that an ordinary inmate doesn’t get.
Napoles reportedly stayed in an airconditioned room with an airbed on her first night at the Makati City Jail — away from the other female inmates. These reports were denied by authorities.
According to deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte, adequate measures are being taken in order to secure Napoles’ safety in order to aid the investigation and bring about justice.
“The instruction of the President is very clear: to make sure that she is secure and nothing happens to her so that Napoles can be brought under the legal processes,” Valte said.
“She was already transferred (to Fort Sto. Domingo in Sta. Rosa, Laguna) and let’s see what the assessment of the PNP will be, moving forward to her security situation,” Valte said.
With reports from Cecille Suerte Felipe, Delon Porcalla, and Perseus Echeminada