One of 4 CPDRC political prisoners shipped to Bohol

One of the four political prisoners who have allegedly been agitating other prisoners to protest against the management of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center was transferred to Bohol yesterday. Lawyer Pablo John Garcia yesterday said that a Regional Trial Court in Bohol granted CPDRC's motion to transfer the detention of Ronald Sendrijas from Cebu to the Bohol provincial jail where he also has pending cases. "Nalipay kaayo mi kay sa una pa mao nay atong tinguha nga mabalhin sila," Pablo John said. A team of policemen and provincial guards escorted Sendrijas yesterday afternoon to his new detention in Bohol. Pablo John said the transfer of three other political prisoners is being studied. Without the political prisoners here, CPDRC would be able to rid itself of complaints from militant groups.

According to Pablo John, motions have been filed in different courts where the political prisoners have pending cases requesting for their transfer to the military stockade at the Central Command. The prisoners include Edgardo Sacamay, Gerry Pelenio, and Jigger Geverola. The political prisoners have allegedly been disturbing the peace and order at the CPDRC by hurling unfounded accusations against the jail management and by staging protest actions such as an alleged "bogus" hunger strike. They have also accused Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and her brother Capitol consultant on security Byron Garcia of maltreatment. But, a team of the Commission on Human Rights who recently inspected the facility found their allegations to be untrue.- Fred P. Languido