EMBATTLED Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr. yesterday dared Genelyn Magsaysay, mother of his murdered half-brother Ramgen Bautista, to order her daughter Ramona “Mara” Bautista to return home after she  flew to Hong Kong Friday night despite the ongoing investigation into the case in which she was tagged as one of the suspects.

Bong, who was dismayed over his sister’s flight, said Ramona’s action was a sign of guilt.

“The guilty must be punished! The unwarranted flight of Ramona Bautista is a sign of guilt that she has knowledge and direct participation in the commission of the crime,” he said.

The senator also asked authorities to investigate the people who facilitated Ramona’s flight, and determine their legal accountability if there is any.

In an interview over GMA7 Startalk yesterday, Bong dared Genelyn to make Ramona return home.

“Pabalikin mo anak mo. Kung wala siyang kasalanan, hindi siya dapat umalis. Kung inosente si Ramona, dapat harapin niya ito. Anak mo rin ang biktima, anak mo ang pinatay. Mahal ka ni Ramgen, dapat mabigyan siya ng hustisya,” he said.

The senator said the incident is causing pain to the whole Bautista clan.   

“Sobrang mabigat ito, sobrang mabigat para sa pamilya. Dahil Revilla, nadadawit ang buong clan, ang buong angkang Bautista pati, na ang mga walang kinalaman,” he said.

The senator said he doesn’t believe that Genelyn had no knowledge about Ramona’s flight as he bared the rift between his father, Don Ramon, Sr. and his half-sister.

He said his father got mad at Ramona for getting married at a very early age to a Turkish national. This fueled speculations that she could have proceeded to Turkey after arriving in Hong Kong.

As of press time, authorities were checking if Ramona had already flown to Turkey as there was a flight for Istanbul from Hong Kong Friday night.

Bong also revealed that Genelyn got mad at him after he allowed the Parañaque police under Senior Supt. Billy Beltran, to take custody of Ramon Joseph.

He said RJ called him up over the phone informing him that policemen were arresting him. He asked the lawmen to ensure that RJ, being a minor, will only talk in the presence of a lawyer.

Bong said Genelyn was mad at him because he did not stop the police from taking her son and even chided him for not using his influence as  a senator.

“I told her I'm a senator of the Republic of the Philippines, not a senator of the Revilla family."

The senator described Ramgen as more than a brother, more like a son to him because he grew up with his children, Bryan and Jolo. He said his late mom took care of the then growing Ramgen.

He vowed to do everything in his power to bring the perpetrators behind bars no matter who they are and who gets hurt.

“I am asking the police to go much deeper in their investigation on the death of my late brother Ramgen Revilla and the frustrated murder of his girlfriend Janelle Manahan. I want them to determine who are involved and responsible for this dastardly act of murder,” Bong said.

The senator said he will coordinate with the International Criminal Police Organization to have Ramona returned to the country.

Philippine National Police spokesman Chief Supt. Agrimero A. Cruz, Jr. said the PNP leadership supports the Parañaque police in the way they are  handling the investigation of the case.

He said the city police followed the PNP standard operating procedures in investigating the murder case and going after the suspects.

“Our men are doing their job well and the PNP leadership is satisfied with the progress of the investigation and we stand by it in line with our quest for justice,” Cruz said.

BI has no recourse

Meanwhile, Immigration Commissioner Ricardo David said immigration officers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport had no recourse but to allow Ramona to board her flight for Hong Kong.

“Pending the issuance of a hold departure order or a watchlist order, we have no authority to prevent her from leaving the country,” he said.

BI spokesperson Maria Antonette Bucasas-Mangrobang cited the rules which says that a respondent/suspect in a criminal case can only be prevented from leaving by a hold departure order issued by a court or a watchlist issued by the courts or by the Department of Justice.
With reports from Willy Balasa, Lee Ann Ducusin