Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Lt. Gen. (ret.) Roberto Ancan said on Tuesday, July 16, that he could ensure the safety of suspended Bamban Mayor Alice Guo once she's within the Senate premises.
"Basta here I can ensure her security 24/7. I've done it before I was commander before, I assure the people within the area of responsibility that they are safe," he said in an interview.
He reiterated that the room is not a jail cell but a detention room.
Ancan showed the media the detention room where Guo and her family would be detained upon serving their arrest order. Ancan said the detention room, located near the open basketball court inside the Senate compound in Pasay City, could house eight people and is fully air-conditioned
“This (room) was the former daycare center and we decided to prepare this for them because they are a family and could be together,” Ancan said.
Bunk beds, bedsheets, and pillows have been provided for them in the detention room. They will also be served meals three times a day including snacks, according to Ancan.
Ancan also mentioned that family members can visit her anytime as well as her legal counsel.
The Senate has already issued an arrest order against Guo Dennis Cunanan, Nancy Gamo, Sheila Guo, Wesley Gui, Jian Zhong Go, Seimen Guo, and Wenyi Lin.
Only Guo’s alleged accountant, Gamo, was arrested over the weekend and is currently detained at the Senate.
Guo’s lawyer Stephen David, said his client is contemplating whether she would voluntarily surrender herself or appear before the Senate.
David said he had told Guo that she could not forever evade arrest and that she was invited so she could testify or just be a resource person in the Senate.