DVD player inside jail triggers investigation

Cebu City Police Office director Melvin Gayotin has ordered an investigation into the existence of a portable digital videodisc (DVD) player inside the city police stockade.

The DVD player was reportedly owned by inmate Jovencio "Kulit" Retuerto, a suspected bigtime pusher who was among the four men arrested while transacting P80,000 worth of shabu with operatives of the Vice Control Section at a resto bar along V. Rama on November 26.

Reporters who trooped to the detention cell yesterday morning to interview a drug suspect discovered the DVD player, which was used by some inmates to view a movie.

Guards on duty yesterday said they did not know about the DVD player inside the stockade.

Gayotin wanted to know who authorized the DVD player inside the stockade, demanding an explanation from his deputy, Supt. Mariano Natuel, who is the concurrent chief of the SSG.

But since he was on leave yesterday, Natuel directed his deputy, Chief Insp. Henry Biñas, to conduct an investigation into the case.

Natuel said the existence of DVD player inside the stockade was not a big deal as it was a form of entertainment among inmates, but to avoid speculations of special treatment to some inmates, it should be regulated.

Natuel said what are strictly not allowed inside the cell are mobile phones and other means of communication because they enable inmate to contact friends and relatives outside, risking the security and order of the jail.

Even belts and ropes are not allowed inside the cell because these could be used for inmates to commit suicide or could trigger violence.

But according to Natuel, those guards found liable for the existence of the DVD player inside the stockade may face charges depending on the outcome of the investigation.

Retuerto claimed that he just borrowed the player as well as the three DVDs, which are all action movies, from a friend.

"Hinuwaman ra mana nako sa akong amigo. Abi nakog okay ra so ako ra sad nga gisaksak sa outlet. Gibadlong pa ko dili ta to maingon ani," Retuerto told The FREEMAN later on.

Retuerto claimed that SPO1 Juanito Entoma who was one of the cops on duty even watched a movie with them. - Ryan P. Borinaga