PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. (Screengrab from RTVM)
MANILA – Former Senator Leila de Lima is in stable condition at the Philippine National Police General Hospital (PNPGH) a few days following the hostage-taking incident at the police force's Custodial Center that threatened her life.
In a Palace briefing Wednesday, PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said the former lawmaker has been admitted to the PNPGH since Monday due to acute coronary syndrome, costochondritis, and hypertension.
"Her condition remains stable and it’s being monitored daily by her attending physician and staff of the PNP General Hospital. As for security, she has provided 24-hour security detail. She is undergoing medication, and the latest health bulletin will be released at the soonest possible time," Azurin told reporters.
Asked how long will De Lima be staying at the hospital. Azurin said it would depend on the recommendations of her attending doctors.
Azurin, meanwhile, clarified that De Lima's camp is free to seek her transfer to other facilities.
"But, if the (former) senator feels that she is no longer secured in Camp Crame, then maybe she could opt to be transferred to the AFP, there is a facility that could accommodate her. But, when I had the chance to talk to Senator de Lima, she manifested that she still prefers to stay with the PNP Custodial Center," he added.
He, meanwhile, said the PNP will recommend the detention of high-risk inmates, particularly convicted terrorists, in facilities run by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
"That would be one of the recommendations that the PNP would be doing po because the very reason that’s why we have detainees inside Camp Crame is that some courts give the order that these particular ‘criminals’ who are facing criminal charges have to be detained inside Camp Crame. Otherwise, the PNP would not allow or would not accept anybody kasi personally po is hindi naman po talaga dapat trabaho ng pulis iyong nagbabantay ng mga bilanggo (it is not the police's job to watch over inmates)," he added.
Azurin has also directed the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) to investigate and conduct a physical security check of the Custodial Center, as well as a review of standard operating procedures in running the facility.
Three detainees -- Arnel Cabintoy, Feliciano Sulayao, and Abduljihad Susukan -- were killed after they attempted to escape from the PNP Custodial Center. Sulayao was the one who held de Lima hostage.
Detention place up to courts
Meanwhile, the AFP said it is willing to take custody of terrorist detainees at the PNP Custodial Center if ordered by the courts.
"Susunod kami sa legal na kautusan ng korte palagi, kahit ano naman yun, basta legal na kautusan, basta inutusan ng korte susunod kami (We always comply with orders of the court, as long as it is legal orders, and issued by the court, we always obey)," AFP spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar said in an interview with reporters Wednesday.
Should these terrorists are ordered transferred to AFP custody, Aguilar said they will do everything in their authority to secure them just like what the PNP is doing.
As of this time, Aguilar said the military does not have any terrorist detainees under its custody. (with Priam Nepomuceno/PNA)
