MANILA, Philippines - Janet Lim-Napoles was transferred last night from Camp Crame to the Makati City Jail (MCJ) where she would be housed separately from other inmates.
A convoy left the camp at around 11:05 p.m. through the camp’s EDSA Gate 1, which was immediately closed to prevent media vehicles from following it.
Napoles, wearing a bulletproof vest over a pink dress, was in a white Philippine National Police (PNP) coaster with her husband Jimmy and lawyer Lorna Kapunan.
Napoles arrived at the MCJ at around 11:25 p.m.. She was accompanied by presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda, deputy spokesperson Abigail Valte, Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas and PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima.
Two women from the PNP Special Action Force guarded her as she entered the jail gate.
“We are transferring Napoles to Makati City Jail. Earlier, we checked the detention cell to ensure her safety,†Roxas told journalists.
Napoles underwent a medical check-up at Camp Crame before being transferred to the MCJ.
She was temporarily taken to a small air-conditioned room with an old sofa and a desk. Her husband and lawyer were allowed to stay with her.
Earlier, Napoles opposed being detained in the MCJ out of fear for her life. One of the inmates was her maid who was jailed there after she charged her with qualified theft.
Roxas conducted an ocular inspection of the MCJ at about 7:30 p.m. yesterday.
He said they were looking at two small rooms to house Napoles separately from the general inmate population.
“This is a problem. That is why we are looking for an alternative and temporary place. How can we ensure her safety? She knows a lot,†said Roxas.
Makati jail warden Chief Inspector Fermin Enriquez said they had prepared the facility where Napoles would stay.
He said the room is well ventilated.
Napoles will not get special treatment.
“She will be placed in the dorm like an ordinary inmate,†he added. – Cecille Suerte Felipe, Mike Frialde