‘Everything is being investigated’

By John Noel Herrera

Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Atty. Benjamin Abalos Jr. assured the public that they are on top of complaints raised by inmates of the Iloilo District Jail-Male Dormitory in Pototan, Iloilo.

“Huwag po kayong mag-alala, we are on top of the situation. Lalo na kapag may mga kaanak kayong nakakulong, we will make sure that they will be treated humanely,” Abalos said during his visit in Iloilo City on Thursday, Aug 25, 2022.

Abalos also said that they already released an order to temporarily relieve the warden, Jail Chief Inspector Norberto Miciano Jr. so that there will be an impartial investigation.

The jail is managed by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), an attached agency of the DILG.

Abalos added that they would look “into the matters that is being raised, particularly na sabi nilang tungkol sa pagkain. That’s very important for us, ‘yung pagkain. So, we want to make sure na naibibigay ang tamang pagkain sa lahat.”

While the case is still under investigation, Abalos also emphasized that aside from disciplining the inmates about what is wrong, the function of the authorities concerned is also to reform the persons deprived of liberty (PDLs), to change their lives and not to abuse them.

“Remember ito ay reformatory and correction, ni-re-reform natin ang mga preso natin para sila ay magbagong buhay, at habang nasa safe keeping natin sila, let us treat them humanely… tamang pagkain, etc., pero of course, ‘yung bawal, bawal. Bawal ang droga. Ako parati ko kasing ginagawa tuwing pumpunta ako sa isang lugar, pinapaihi ko yung mga preso eh. Basta dito may mag-positive, ibig sabihin there is a negligence on the part of the warden or the guards, so they will face sanctions. Pagdating po dito, huwag kayong mag-alala, everything is being investigated,” Abalos added.

On Wednesday, Aug 24, more than a hundred inmates held a protest on the rooftop of the Iloilo District Jail-Male Dormitory in Pototan, Iloilo.

The inmates displayed placards with the words, “Gutom na kami. Layas warden!” (We’re hungry. Leave warden!) to raise their concerns for better food ration and the relief of the warden, Jail Chief Inspector Norberto Miciano Jr.

An inmate also wrote that their rice has shards of broken bottles as they also had to endure eating rotten fish. Another inmate also described the now relieved warden as corrupt.

Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. also asked the inmates to go down as he would talk with the BJMP-6 management about how they could solve the matter.