• RICHARD T. CABALLERO JR.
Persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) inside the Negros Occidental District Jail Male Dormitory in Barangay Tabunan, Bago City, staged a 12-hour hunger strike yesterday, while their families gathered in front of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology-Negros Island Region (BJMP-NIR) yesterday to once again call for the ouster of Jail Warden Crisyrel Awe.
The protest was sparked by allegations of continued inhumane treatment within the facility, despite a noise barrage staged by the inmates last August.
Inmates announced they would refuse to eat from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. as a form of protest against what they describe as the warden’s repressive and inhumane policies.
Family members reported that inmates are being subjected to poor treatment and are fed food that is unfit for consumption.
“Almost everything is prohibited. They are fed with inconsumable food, which is inhumane because they are also human,” one of the inmates’ wives stated during the rally. She added that the protest was conducted at the inmates’ behest, as they felt neglected and mistreated.
Human Rights Advocate Negros spokesperson Felipe Gelle Jr. condemned the ongoing violations and the degrading treatment inside detention facilities, criticizing the jail authorities for their persistent refusal to address long-standing grievances.
“This fast continues the struggle as abuses persist and demands for justice remain ignored,” he said.
The protest serves as a direct challenge to authorities accused of violating both national laws and international human rights standards.
In response, BJMP-NIR spokesperson Atty. Juniven Umadhay assured that the bureau would address the concerns raised by the inmates and their families.
“We are committed to conducting a balanced and fair investigation,” he stated in an interview.
However, Umadhay emphasized that strict enforcement of rules and regulations is necessary, especially after the jail was placed under heightened alert following recent incidents involving gun throwing and drug seizures.
On August 24, a .45 caliber firearm was thrown inside the jail’s perimeter wall, allegedly coming from the outside, prompting the authorities to tighten their security inside the facility. The incident was denied by the family members of the PDLs.
Regarding the recent confiscation of four sachets of shabu and six cellphones within the facility, families believe the items were planted. Meanwhile, authorities maintain their stance, asserting that the investigation into the source of the contraband is still ongoing.
Umadhay further said that the strict frisking of visitors is not intended to intimidate, but a proper implementation of the existing BJMP protocols.*
