Former Sen. Leila de Lima has declined the offer of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr. to be transferred to a safer detention facility following an escape attempt of three inmates on Sunday, Oct. 9, at the Custodial Center of the Philippine National Police (PNP) at Camp Crame where she was held hostage in the process.
This was disclosed by Interior Sec. Benhur Abalos after her visit to de Lima at Camp Crame where the two had the chance to discuss what happened and for the former to check her condition.
During the visit, Abalos said he relayed the message of the President to de Lima about her possible transfer to a safer detention facility.
"The President told me to tell (former) senator de Lima what she wants to ensure her safety. It's her choice, it's always for her safety and interest," Abalos told reporters in an interview.
The instruction of the President, according to Abalos, is to look for a place within the perimeter of the PNP Custodial Center.
Abalos said one of the facilities offered was the detention facilities of senators Bong Revilla and Jinggoy Estrada when they were detained over the pork barrel scam. Revilla was already cleared of the charges.
The facilities used to be the quarters of the officers of the PNP Custodial Center. It was converted to detention cells for Revilla and Estrada.
"But she (De Lima) said she feels safer in her current place so she prefers to stay there," said Abalos.
Tied and blindfolded
Quoting the police report, Abalos said De Lima was tied and blindfolded when one of the inmates, Feliciano Sulayao, Jr., was able to run and entered the area where the former senator is detained.
Before Sulayao held De Lima hostage, his two other companions, Idang Susukan and Arnel Cabintoy, were already shot dead after they went on stabbing a policeman who was then distributing the food ration at the maximum security area of the PNP Custodial Center.
"So he (Sulayao) was able to reach the area of the senator, She was tied and blindfolded. The hostage taker also demanded a hummer, helicopter et cetera," said De Lima.
PNP chief Gen. Rodoldo Azurin, Jr. earlier said that De Lima was unhurt and is already safe.
Man of the hour
Abalos lauded Police Col. Mark Pespes, the director of the Headquarters Support Service (HSS), whom he said was the one who neutralized Sulayao.
"He (Pespes) is the hero because he initiated the negotiation and took advantage of a situation to neutralize the hostage taker," said Abalos.
He said that when Sulayao asked for a bottle of water, Pespes took it as an opportunity to neutralize him by shooting the hostage taker on the head.