Surveillance footage reviews showed no power cuts or unauthorized movement at the Quezon City Jail following allegations that special privileges were granted to a high-profile detainee facing major corruption charges.
The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) launched an investigation into claims that former House Speaker Martin Romualdez was allowed to leave his cell at the Quezon City Jail.
BJMP chief Director Efren Nemeño ordered the probe on Tuesday, with the bureau stating on Wednesday that it is taking allegations regarding custodial irregularities seriously.
Romualdez, a cousin of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., is detained at the facility on plunder charges in relation to anomalous flood control, infrastructure, and other government projects amounting to P7.4 billion.
Earlier reports alleged that jail management permitted Romualdez to exit via backdoor stairs to board a waiting ambulance.
The reports further alleged that the jail warden intentionally cut facility power to prevent closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras from recording the movement.
“The investigation is ongoing. The BJMP reiterates that all PDLs are subject to the same custodial rules and that any movement outside the jail requires a proper court order,” the BJMP said in a statement.
The bureau stated that it welcomes relevant information from the public and will cooperate with any independent inquiries conducted by other government bodies.
“The BJMP assures the public of its commitment to professionalism, transparency, and equal treatment of all PDLs, without distinction or special privilege,” the BJMP also said.
Preliminary findings by jail administrators failed to validate the breach reports.
“Initial CCTV verification by (the) BJMP National Headquarters showed no recorded power or CCTV interruption at the Quezon City Jail–Male Dormitory, and no recorded movement of Rep. Martin Romualdez outside the facility during the period examined,” the BJMP added.