Joselito Malig

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Zyann Ambrosio

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — The lawyer of Ramil Madriaga, the alleged “bagman” of Vice President Sara Duterte, said his client was recently confronted by another detainee inside the detention facility where he is being held, prompting an investigation and additional security measures.In a phone interview, Atty. Raymond Palad said the incident occurred on March 3 at the second floor of Annex 2 in the Delta area of the facility where Madriaga is detained.“Bigla siyang hinarang ng isang malaking lalaki. So nagulat si Ramil, hinarang siya,” Palad said.According to information relayed to the defense team, Madriaga was walking along the corridor when a “large man,” described as a newly admitted detainee, suddenly blocked his path.Madriaga allegedly became alarmed and prepared to defend himself while shouting for guards. The other detainee reportedly ran back to his cell after the commotion.Following the incident, authorities conducted an internal investigation, and the group of newly admitted detainees involved was reportedly removed from Annex 2.Palad said their legal team immediately wrote to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) requesting a probe into the situation inside the facility.“We immediately wrote the NBI to investigate ang nangyayari sa Annex 2,” Palad said.The NBI visited the jail from around 9:00 p.m. to midnight to conduct an investigation and coordinate with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) regarding additional security measures.Additional security has since been placed at the control gates leading to Madriaga’s cell, although Palad said he is not certain whether the personnel are from the NBI or the BJMP.The lawyer also revealed that even before the incident, Madriaga had allegedly received warnings from fellow detainees and some jail personnel that a bounty may have been placed on his life inside the jail.“May mga nag-warning sa kanya na may alok kung sino ang makakapatay sa kanya sa loob ng jail,” Palad said.According to Palad, the alleged bounty amounts reportedly ranged from ₱500,000 to ₱5 million.Madriaga has also heard rumors of detainees allegedly being poisoned through food inside the facility in the past, prompting him to remain cautious and stay close to trusted cellmates.He is currently detained with five other prisoners in a cell block identified as Delta 5 and 6, and has requested that no new detainees be added to their group.Palad said they are also exploring the possibility of transferring Madriaga to another detention facility for security reasons. However, Madriaga reportedly does not want to be transferred to Camp Crame, citing trauma from alleged torture during a previous case.Possible alternative facilities being considered include NBI detention facilities or Camp Aguinaldo, subject to court approval.Madriaga previously executed an affidavit claiming he was tasked to distribute funds allegedly linked to confidential funds associated with Vice President Duterte. Some prosecutors and impeachment complainants have described him as a possible “missing link” in tracing where the funds went.  Meanwhile, Palad said Madriaga’s three mobile phones remain under the custody of the Philippine National Police Anti-Kidnapping Group, the unit that arrested him. The defense team is seeking a forensic examination of the devices, which they believe may contain messages and other evidence linking Madriaga to Duterte.Palad said all requests made by the defense have been done through proper legal channels and noted that the NBI responded quickly to their request for an investigation.Vice President Duterte has previously denied allegations linking her to the alleged misuse of confidential funds and filed perjury case againt Madriaga last Wednesday.But the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) explained that the incident involving Madriaga inside the detention facility on March 3 was only a minor misunderstanding and did not involve violence.However, BJMP spokesperson Jayrex Bustinera said they are taking seriously the claims raised by Madriaga and his lawyer, particularly regarding alleged threats to his life.“Siniseryoso namin ang allegation… kahit may sinabi si PDL Madriaga, siniseryoso ‘yan,” Bustinera said.According to Bustinera, Madriaga had already been placed alone in a cell with additional security measures even before the alleged incident.He explained that the situation occurred during the detainee’s one-hour period outside his cell when he accidentally brushed shoulders with another person deprived of liberty, resulting in a brief misunderstanding.“Nagkataon lang na may nasagi lang sa balikat at nagkaroon ng hindi pagkakaunawaan. Walang nangyaring suntukan, walang threat at walang violence,” Bustinera said, describing it as a “very minor incident.”The BJMP added that Madriaga has since been transferred again to a separate cell and given further security measures.Bustinera also confirmed that the NBI visited the facility to conduct an inspection and interviews, and that one NBI personnel has been allowed to remain on duty inside the facility for added assurance and transparency.“Pinayagan namin ang isang NBI personnel na mag-duty rin doon kasama ang BJMP personnel for added assurance at transparency,” he said.BJMP added that there are no recorded reports of poisoning incidents inside the facility and that Madriaga remains under tight security. Authorities also said they have not received any court order for his transfer to another detention facility but will comply if such an order is issued.

The lawyer of Ramil Madriaga, the alleged “bagman” of Vice President Sara Duterte, said his client was recently confronted by another detainee inside the detention facility where he is being held, prompting an investigation and additional security measures.

The lawyer of Ramil Madriaga, the alleged “bagman” of Vice President Sara Duterte, said his client was recently confronted by another detainee inside the detention facility where he is being held, prompting an investigation and additional security measures.

Madriaga threatened inside jail, lawyer says

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Madriaga threatened inside jail, lawyer says

Zyann Ambrosio,

ABS-CBN News

Published Mar 05, 2026 05:20 PM PHT

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BJMP

Bureau of Jail Management and Penology

Ramil Madriaga

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