Jail authorities on extra alert

CEBU - The Philippine National Police and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology are on extra tight alert concentrating at jail facilities where political prisoners are currently detained.

Police Regional Office-7 Regional Operations and Plans Division director Supt. Louie Oppus said that both agencies have raised their alert level following the daring jailbreak at the Quezon Provincial Jail.

Oppus said that even before the jailbreak in Lucena City, all ground units were already alerted - not only the jails but also the vital installations and their respective offices.

“For those who are entering the facility without prior information, treat them as enemies,” Oppus said.

Ten alleged members of the New People’s Army entered the Quezon Provincial Jail at 6:15 p.m. last Saturday wearing black shirts with “PDEA” printed in front and “SWAT” printed at the back and allowed the escape of seven political prisoners.

Oppus said such is an “old deceptive tactic” and it even happened in Batuan town, Bohol in 1999 while he was still police director of Tagbilaran City.

He said that NPAs had penetrated a Regional Mobile Group camp in Batuan by posing as representatives of the Department of Interior and Local Government, with women clad in short pants at the forefront.

As soon as the RMG men let them in, the said NPAs announced of a raid. The RMG men gave up their long and short firearms, unable to fire even a single shot, Oppus added.

With such incident, Oppus said, the law enforcers could have already learned a lesson.

He pointed out that there are political detainees in Bohol, Cebu, and Oriental Negros that need to be strictly watched.

In Quezon province, initial investigation showed that the jail guards did not even question the alleged NPAs. The guards claimed they were “turning over” a prisoner in the said jail facility.

The seven political prisoners were identified as Gemma Carag, Cecilia Mondia, Noel Santos, Gerson Carabido, Fernando Tawagon, Arnold Valencia, and Rogelio Monteverda.

All seven are facing charges for murder and rebellion. — Ferliza C. Contratista/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)