Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. denied reports suggesting that former Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo was allegedly receiving special treatment while at the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW).
In a press release sent Thursday morning, Catapang clarified that Guo is currently serving a mandatory five-day quarantine period following her transfer from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) to CIW on Saturday evening, December 6.
CIW Chief Superintendent Marjorie Ann Sanidad reinforced this message affirming that Guo, along with all inmates is subject to the same regulations and restrictions, with no special privileges afforded to her or any other individuals deprived of liberty.
Based on CIW record, only Guo’s lawyers or legal counsels have been permitted to visit her, in accordance with established health and security protocols.
Lawyer Nicole Jamilla visited Guo on December 6 to 9. She was joined by fellow lawyer Romar Cambri on December 8 while other legal counsels Marc Lester Mamuri and Cheska Mhey Dela Paz visited on December 10.
Sanidad emphasized that personal mobile phones are strictly prohibited in all prison facilities belying reports that Guo may have obtained a phone days after her detention.
This policy, according to Sanidad, is uniformly applied to everyone-including Bucor employees and personnel-as no individual is allowed to bring or use a personal mobile device inside secured areas within the correctional facilities.
The quarantine area within the Reception and Diagnostic Center compound is subject to the same strict controls. Given these measures, it is not possible for her to obtain or possess such a device, Sanidad added.
Catapang’s reiteration serves to ensure transparency and uphold the integrity within the correctional system and that all inmates are treated equally under the law.
The BuCor issued the statement following malicious and unfounded reports sent to media with no clear attribution or source, where it came from pertaining to possible special treatment of Guo after she was allegedly visited over the weekend by two men described as “Chinese-looking” on four separate occasions.
