• RICHARD T. CABALLERO JR.
The management of Negros Occidental District Jail-Male Dormitory (NODJ-MD) in Barangay Tabunan, Bago City, has disputed all the allegations thrown by human rights groups, following the privilege speech of Kabataan Partylist Representative Atty. Renee Co at the House of Representatives.
In her speech, Co shared the accusations thrown by the human rights advocates in Negros Occidental, alleging inhumane treatment by the management towards the Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) inside the facility.
However, the NODJ-MD has denied all the allegations in an explanatory letter they sent to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology Negros Island Region (BJMP-NIR), after being directed by the Regional Chief JSupt. Brendan Fulgencio to comment and explain on the issues raised against his management as part of an ongoing investigation.
On the alleged unlawful conduct of strip and cavity searches, the management claimed that these are part of the lawful policy of the BJMP pursuant to Standard Operating Procedures 2010-05. NODJ-MD also dismissed the claim of the complainants, stating that “no record of visual cavity search was ever employed by the jail officers.”
“It is part of the security measures considering the recent confiscation of four sachets of illegal drugs from the possession of a PDL, the lawful seizure of 58 smartphones, the interception of a .45-caliber pistol thrown inside the jail, and the shooting of a jail officer in front of the jail entrance,” it explained in a statement.
On the allegations of inhuman food served to PDLs, the NODJ-MD disputed the claim, showing photographs of the food consumed by the inmates.
“Photographs of some of the actual food served were taken a month and weeks before the speech made by one of the party-list representatives, hence contradicting the allegations,” it said.
Meanwhile, countering the allegation on the cessation of sunning privileges, farming activities, and the Alternative Learning System (ALS) program, the NODJ-MD management submitted photographs of PDLs availing of sunning privileges, engaging in farming and livelihood activities, and attending the ALS educational program dated before the December 4 complaint submitted by Kapatid Negros.
The NODJ-MD management reported that an income of more than P100,000 went to the PDLs working on the Christmas lantern livelihood and farming activities as of December 17 alone, as attested by the affidavit of the welfare development officer.
Further, on the accusations of lack of medicine and health services, the jail management submitted additional photos of the actual distribution of maintenance medicines to PDLs and stocks of medicines in its clinic regularly distributed to PDLs.
“The regional director of BJMP-NIR reminds its officers and wardens that it will punish those who violate their oath as jail officers if substantial evidence warrants. He also encourages the complainants to submit other pieces of evidence aside from their verbal and written allegations to support their complaint,” it stated.
The human rights groups in the province had sought the help of Kabataan Partylist Rep. Co to express their concerns in the House of Representatives on the matter.
Atty. Juniven Umadhay, BJMP-NIR Spokesperson, earlier said that they will cater to all the complaints raised by the groups and the family members of the inmates, as part of the investigation of the case and the management of JSupt. Crisyrel Awe, NODJ-MD warden.*
