Ni Martin A. Sadongdong

Tinanggihan ng Philippine National Police (PNP) ang hirit ng tatlong indibiduwal, na dawit sa P50 million bribery scam na kinasasangkutan ng Bureau of Immigration (BI), na makulong sa Camp Crame sa Quezon City.

Sinang-ayunan ni Chief Supt. John Bulalacao, tagapagsalita ng PNP, ang desisyon ng Sandiganbayan na ikulong sina dating BI deputy commissioners Al Argosino at Michael Robles, maging ang umano’y middleman na si Wenceslao “Wally” Sombero, Jr. sa Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) sa halip na sa PNP Custodial Center.

“Actually, the Custodial Center is for active members of the PNP who are in conflict with the law,” sabi ni Bulalacao.

72 PDL's ng Manila City Jail, naka-enrol sa PUP Open University

72 PDL's ng Manila City Jail, naka-enrol sa PUP Open University

Gayunman, binanggit ni Bulalacao ang ilang “exemptions” na kinabibilangan ng ilang non- PNP personnel na kasalukuyang nakadetine sa Custodial Center tulad nina Senador Leila de Lima at dating Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr.

“They need to be secured by the PNP. Although they can also be transferred to a BJMP facility, the Sandiganbayan was the one who ordered the PNP to accommodate them,” dugtong niya.

Bukod kina De Lima at Revilla, ang iba pang non-PNP personnel na nakapiit sa Custodial Center ay sina National Democratic Front of the Philippines consultant Rafael Baylosis at hinihinalang New People’s Army leader Marklen Maojo Maga.

Matatandaan na ito rin ang rason ni Bulalacao nang tumanggi ang PNP na ikulong si Customs broker Mark Taguba sa Custodial Center nitong Pebrero 2018.

“The PNP Custodial Center is for internal stakeholders only,” diin nito.

Ayon pa sa tagapagsalita ng PNP, dapat matapos ng Headquarters Support Service (HSS), arm agency ng PNP na nangangasiwa sa Custodial Center, ang rehabilitasyon nito sa detention facility “so we cannot accept more inmates yet.”

Sa kanyang panig, binanggit ni Custodial Center Service unit head Chief Insp. Romulo Flores na “practicality and frugality” ang mga rason kung bakit hindi tinanggap ang apela ng tatlong akusado.

“For reasons of practicality, frugality in using public funds, and ensuring the safety of both accused and government personnel, accused Argosino, Robles, and Sombero should be detained in an appropriate detention facility under the authority and supervision of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP),” paliwanag ni Chief Insp. Flores sa ipinadalang mensahe sa Sandiganbayan.