Deniece Cornejo not given VIP treatment, says CIDG

Jailed model Deniece Cornejo celebrated her birthday outside her cell last June 1, but the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group has denied that she is getting any VIP treatment.

In "Umagang Kay Ganda," however, CIDG Women and Children's Protection Unit chief Superintendent Emma Trinidad said via a phone interview with Anthony Taberna that prisoners are not allowed to party. According to her, what Cornejo had on her birthday was just a fellowship/prayer meeting.

"It's not a birthday bash or 'yung tinatawag na party kasi it's not allowed to be held when a person is under detention," Trinidad said. "It was just a fellowship, a prayer meeting, led by a pastor."

She also said that Cornejo asked for permission to hold the gathering with her relatives.

"Prior po dun sa event na June 1, nag-inform sila asking permission if p'wede s'yang mag-celebrate ng birthday pero through prayer or fellowship together with some other detainees, then her relatives can bring food, kakain, yun lang po iyon," said Trinidad.

The prayer meeting was held in an adjacent room to Cornejo's detention cell. The room where she entertained her 15 guests was 25 square meters big and air-conditioned.

When asked by Taberna if the CIDG would also allow other detention prisoners to have a prayer meeting with 15 guests, Trinidad said, "It depends po doon sa duty at kung sino po 'yung officer na in-charge doon."

In a separate report by Journal Online, Cornejo's guests "included her three younger brothers who gave her six balloons, her grandmother with a visitor in tow, her grandfather, her former classmates from La Salle, a pastor who led the prayer and fellowship and GMA 7 reporter  Salema Refran and a distant relative from TV5  who covered her inspirational message to women who might have been victims of abuse."

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