Senate President Francis Escudero on Tuesday inspected the detention room for suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, her parents and three siblings in case they are arrested. The Guos are summoned for questioning related to the ongoing probe on illegal online gambling operations.
Escudero said the Guos will be kept in a room near the Philippine National Police (PNP) Detachment inside the Senate compound until the next hearing set on July 29.
The Senate President guaranteed the safety of the Guo family and the other ‘resource persons’ in the ongoing investigation of the upper chamber into the illegal activities of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
Escudero said he already communicated to Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, to schedule the hearing at an earlier time.
The air-conditioned room for the Guos is located outside the six-storey Senate building. The room, which used to be a day care center, has a separate bathroom. It has three bunk beds, chairs, tables and a water dispenser.
Escudero stressed that this is not a special accommodation for the suspended mayor, but they are merely fixing a detention room for all who will be cited in contempt—whether they are an ordinary person or somebody who has a position in the government.
He also stressed Guo and her family members and the other resource persons were being arrested for a crime, but to compel them to attend the next Senate hearings.
Per his directive, Escudero stated that a man and a woman who will be detained for contempt charges cannot stay in one room except in the case of Guo since they belong to one family.
To avoid being restricted in the detention room, Escudero said Guo can promise to attend the Senate hearings and she can be released on recognizance. But still, it is discretionary upon Hontiveros.
Only Nancy Gamo, the accountant of Guo, is in the Senate custody. She has remained in a separate detention facility, also within the Senate premises.
Office of the Senate Sergeant-At-Arms (OSAA) Chief Roberto Ancan assured Guo’s security 24/7.
“I’ve done it before. I was a commander before, and I assured the people within my area of responsibility that they are safe,” said the retired lieutenant general. He said Guo and the others will be allowed visitors within visiting hours from 8am to 5pm.
The Senate will provide them with food three times a day, but they can also bring their own food and even their own beddings. There will be a medical team ready for their needs as well.
Guo and others who will be held under Senate custody will also be allowed to go outside of the detention room for a few minutes in the morning to get sunlight.
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