Dumpit to stay in Cebu City Jail

CEBU, Philippines -    Judge Ester Veloso yesterday denied the motion to transfer SPO1 Adonis Dumpit from the Cebu City Jail to the Talisay City Jail.

Veloso said jail Warden Felixberto Jagorin’s statement that Dumpit is a high-risk prisoner whose safety in jail cannot be assured is hearsay.

Veloso said the letter of Jagorin claimed that the “mayor de mayores” (head prisoner) of the jail could not assure the safety of Dumpit.

“Based on his letter, it would appear that this information came from the jail’s ‘mayor de mayores’, who is unnamed. When queried as to whom these people were, the jail warden did not know,” her order read.

She said the admission of Jagorin that he is incapable of securing the life of Dumpit presents the question if Jagorin is competent enough to keep his job as jail warden.

“It is his duty and responsibility as jail warden to safeguard all detained prisoners and accused entrusted to his custody in Cebu City Jail, without fear or favor,” Veloso said.

Veloso also ruled out having Dumpit detained at the Talisay City Jail in Barangay Maghaway saying that although Talisay Warden Renante Rubio assured he can guarantee Dumpit’s safety Rubio admitted he cannot spare personnel to transport Dumpit from the Talisay City Jail to court for his hearings.

Rubio earlier testified to the court and suggested that Jagorin send his own people to escort Dumpit from Talisay City to court and vice-versa.

Dumpit was transferred to the Cebu City Jail from the Criminal Investigation and Detention Group office following the plea of Janeth Badana, who charged Dumpit with murder for allegedly shooting dead her son, suspected robber Ronron Go.

Badana said she is confident jail guards of the Cebu City Jail can secure the safety of Dumpit.

“We will not underestimate the capacity or the ability of the jail guard to safeguard Dumpit,” Badana said.

Dumpit earlier asked the court for his transfer citing his safety at the Cebu City Jail which also houses criminals he sent to prison.

Guard Aurelio Marabiles, 35, said he feels sorry for Dumpit.

“Luoy si Dumpit nga di sya mabalhin og lain nga detention cell because naa didto ang iyang dinakpan sa una, way back sa time when he was still in service as a police officer in Cebu City. In short daghan siyag kontra ngadto,” Marabiles said.  

He is currently detained in isolation.

Rubio said if the court had granted Dumpit’s motion, he would have placed him in Talisay City Jail’s Cottage 2 along with inmates who have crimes similar to his.

Unlike traditional jail, the Talisay City jail uses houses or “cottages.” But unlike the regular residential houses, the cottages are secured by barb wire. –(FREEMAN)