PB wants to check mauling in CPDRC

CEBU, Philippines – Because of speculations of foul play, the Cebu Provincial Board wants to get hold of the incident report from the Office of the Governor regarding the death of an in-mate inside the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC).

The board members, though, refused to say whether they will conduct their own probe on the incident. They will decide on this the moment they get a copy of the in-vestigation report from the executive department.

"There are speculations that there might be a foul play concerning the inmates' death," read the proposed resolution filed by PB Members Peter John Calderon and Wilfredo Caminero.

The resolution will be discussed during regular session on Monday afternoon.

Capitol spokesman Rory Jon Sepulveda said that Governor Gwendolyn Garcia will definitely give a copy of the report of the fact-finding committee created by the governor regarding the incident.

"I don't see any reason nganong dili sila hatagan," Sepulveda said.

Earlier, the PB wanted to invite the governor's brother, former Capitol consultant Byron Garcia, to shed light on the matter but this did not push through.

Two inmates at the CPDRC reportedly died due to medical causes while another one was stabbed by his fellow inmate.

Inmate Simplicio Taoy had a heart attack and Angelito Cabalquinto died of cerebral hemorrhage after he supposedly fell while hanging his clothes. Inmate Pete Acosta was reportedly stabbed by fellow inmate identified as Leo Suico. 

Garcia immediately created the Committee on Discipline and Investigation (CODI) headed by lawyer Lito Astillero to conduct investigation on the incident.

Astillero's investigation showed a possible cover-up made by then warden Alito Gabuya, who made the claim about Cabalquinto's fall while hanging his clothes.

The lawyer had said Gabuya's report was based only on hearsay and testimonies from inmates, many of whom are associated with gangs enforcing their "code of si-lence."

Astillero had said that from what he gathered, 16 inmates mauled Cabalquinto and inmate Benjie Undit. (FREEMAN)