Sen. Antonio Trillanes 4th could end up being dormitory mates with Sen. Leila de Lima and former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. as the Philippine National Police assured that it has a room at the PNP Custodial Center prepared for him already.
“He will be detained here at the PNP Custodial Center unless the court order[s] his custody to be under the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” PNP Chief Director General Oscar Albayalde told reporters in Filipino on Saturday.
“We have a cell ready for him. It’s clean and very comforting,” he said.
Albayalde’s remark contradicted the PNP’s previous statement that it would no longer detain high-profile personalities at the Custodial Center.
Chief Supt. John Bulalacao, former PNP spokesman, had cited congestion at the center.
Chief Supt. Benigno Durana Jr., the current PNP spokesman, also earlier said they could not turn the court down if it ordered them to detain Trillanes at Camp Crame.
Albayalde said the Custodial Center is a large facility that can accommodate the embattled senator.
“It’s a large [facility so] that it is impossible for him to cross [paths] with Revilla or de Lima,” he added.
De Lima is being held at the main detention facility of the Custodial Center.
Revilla, on the other hand, is detained at the barracks of officials of the center.
Albayalde said Trillanes would not receive any special treatment once he was detained there.
The senator went home on Saturday after the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 148 did not issue a warrant for his arrest. He was welcomed by his family and friends.
The senator said that it was a big relief that he was again in the comfort of his own home.
“This is the political miracle that I have been waiting for. It has been a roller-coaster ride,” he told reporters.
Trillanes left the Senate at 10 a.m. on Saturday and arrived at his Antipolo City home an hour later. His wife Arlene, other members of the family and his two Chow Chow dogs welcomed him.
“It’s going to be a refreshing experience [to] be able to sleep in your own bed. I can return to my old routines,” he said.
Trillanes made the Senate his home for three weeks after President Rodrigo Duterte issued a proclamation voiding the amnesty granted him by former president Benigno Aquino 3rd.
“Let’s just say that I’m willing to risk being arrested by coming home,” he said.
The senator said he would spend time with his family and visit his sick mother who had recently been hospitalized.
He will be back at the Senate again on Monday.
With a report from NEIL JAYSON N. SERVALLOS