DILG Chief Assures No Special Treatment for Revilla in Surrender Process
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla has firmly stated that former Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. did not receive any special treatment during his recent surrender. In a press briefing held on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, the secretary revealed that Revilla personally called him after learning about the issuance of an arrest warrant against him.
Details of the Surrender and Procedures
According to Sec. Remulla, he advised the former Senator that it would be better for him to surrender voluntarily. The DILG Chief confirmed that Revilla turned himself in at Camp Crame between 8:00 PM and 10:00 PM on Monday, January 19. Remulla detailed that, like all other detainees, Revilla immediately underwent standard booking and custodial procedures upon arrival at Crame, including being read his rights.
The former lawmaker went through the entire process required for a voluntary surrender. As part of these procedures, Revilla was required to surrender his 20 licensed firearms, adhering to the same protocols applied to any individual in custody.
Revilla's Response and Legal Stance
Prior to his surrender, Revilla expressed sadness over what he perceived as a lack of due process, which led to the issuance of the arrest warrant and hold departure order against him. Despite this, the former Senator pledged to face the cases against him without fear, expressing confidence that God would not abandon him because he maintains his innocence. He also asked for prayers for himself and his family during this challenging time.
This incident highlights the DILG's commitment to ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their status, are treated equally under the law, with no exceptions made for high-profile figures like Revilla.
