Dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo will be wearing a bulletproof vest and will be on handcuffs during her transport on Monday, Sept. 9, from Camp Crame in Quezon City to the Senate where she would be a resource in the continuation of the investigation into the illegal operation of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said this is part of the security arrangement in compliance with the order of Branch 109 of the Capas, Tarlac Regional Trial Court to ensure that appropriate security measures will be in place for persons under the jurisdiction of the court.
“We have to take into consideration what she said that she has been receiving death threats. So just like any individual with a threat to life, we have to take this seriously,” said Fajardo in an interview over dzBB.
Fajardo said they have already coordinated with the office of the Senate’s Sergeant-at-Arms since Friday, Sept. 6, when the Capas court issued an order allowing Guo to attend the Senate probe,
She said Guo and her security convoy is expected to leave at 8 a.m.
“The initial (security) is that she would be wearing a bulletproof vest and she will board a secured car with female police officers. There will also be members of SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) who will be part of the convoy,” said Fajardo.
“She will be in handcuffs during the transportation and we will take a cure from the Senate if the handcuffs are removed during the investigation,” she added.
Sunning time
On her second day at the PNP Custodial Center, Fajardo said Guo was allowed to go out of her detention cell to proceed to the open area for the regular one-hour sunning time—from 8 a.m to 9 a.m.
For her breakfast, Fajardo said Guo was served with a cup of coffee, egg, hotdog and rice.
But Fajardo was quick to clarify that the breakfast served to Guo is the same food that was served to other inmates.
Based on the protocol, breakfast at the PNP Custodial Center is served at 6 a.m., lunch at 11 a.m. and dinner at 5 p.m.
While the two cases slapped against her at the Capas court are bailable, Guo opted to remain under police custody due to the alleged death threat she has been receiving.
The detention facility that Guo now occupies used to be the jail of former senator Leila de Lima—with one bed, a comfort room and an electric fan.
The PNP earlier said that there will be no special treatment for Guo while she is under its custody.