Following the voluntary surrender of former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr., Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla assured the public that no special treatment will be accorded to the former senator.

Remulla, despite close connections with the former senator, emphasized that Revilla, along with the other accused, will be treated the same as all Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) in accordance with the law.

“Matagal na kami magkaibigan. But, duty calls, there are no exceptions to the rule. Nung sinabi ng Sandiganbayan to arrest him, I advised him to, ang best po na magagawa nya is to surrender peacefully,” Remulla stated.

“Ang Sandiganbayan na ang magdedesisyon kung saan siya ilalagay. Yung available facilities ay sinubmit na namin sa Sandiganbayan. I assure you walang magiging special treatment,” he added, noting that Revilla’s license to own and possess firearms has been cancelled in accordance with existing rules.

The former Senator is now at the Sandiganbayan for the determination of his place of detention.

Revilla was earlier served with an arrest warrant and hold departure order by the Sandiganbayan in connection with the alleged P92.8-million ghost flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan. The case also involves six other officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

The DILG Chief noted that six of the seven accused are now under the custody of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), while one remaining DPWH official is still at large.

The accused face charges of graft and the non-bailable offense of malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents.