The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) yesterday conducted a surprise inspection of their custodial facility at the New Bilibid Prison following reports of “special treatment” for some high-profile detainees.

NBI Director Jaime Santiago said the inspection was done after reports surfaced that ex-lawmaker Arnolfo Teves, Jr. was receiving “VIP treatment.”

Santiago emphasized no one gets special treatment, including former congressman Arnolfo Teves, who had just been transferred to the Manila City Jail.

Santiago personally spoke with detainees who confirmed fair treatment.

“Ayaw daw nila sa NBI dahil may special treatment?! There is no special treatment here! Maraming lumalabas na dito sa NBI may VIP treatment sa high-profile cases.”

“Paano magkaka-VIP treatment dito eh, ang skip na nga dito? Kung ano pagkain ng isa, ‘yun din ang pagkain. Walang special treatment na nangyayari,” Santiago said.

He said he only reminded detention officers to ensure Teves’ safety.

“Ang bilin ko lang kay Wilmar, ‘di ma sasakyan si Teves dyan, hindi mapapatay lalo na. Ingatan natin mabuti, dudumugin tayo ng taumbayan kung may mangyari diyan,” Santiago added.

Teves was arrested last month in Timor-Leste and deported back to the Philippines soon after.

During his visit, Santiago asked the detainees if they have noticed special treatment for certain detainees, to which they replied in the negative.

Santiago also inspected the cell of Shiela Guo, the sister of former Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo.

The capacity of the detention facility is only 116, but it is currently holding 228.

More than 80 percent of the Bureau of Corrections detainees are foreigners, the majority of them Chinese, Santiago said. (ABS-CBN News)