Jail guard to face raps over lost rice

CEBU, Philippines - A jail guard of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) will be charged with theft for wriggling out 35 bags of NFA rice from the jail’s housevan without written authority.

The bags of rice were stored by the Provincial Social Welfare Development Office (PSWDO) at the CPDRC housevan in barangay Kalunasan, Cebu City.

Investigation conducted by Capitol consultant on peace and security Cesar Veloso disclosed that PG1 Antonieto Babor, acting assistant supply officer and rice custodian of CPDRC, was found responsible for the withdrawal of the rice in the afternoon of April 25, 2011.

Babor allegedly instructed 17 inmates working in the kitchen led by head cook Santiago Aguanta to load 35 sacks of NFA rice on the CPDRC van bound for Capitol.

Upon hearing this, assistant warden Reynaldo Pepito, Jr. had informed Veloso and requested to intercept the van but this did not arrive at the Capitol.

Veloso requested CSO III Valentino Cruz, Jr. with personnel of the Civil Security Services Division to proceed to the house of Babor where they found three bags of rice unloaded.

When asked about the rice, Babor reportedly told Cruz that it was given by Governor Gwendolyn Garcia for consumption.

But during investigation, Babor explained that it was Wilson Ramos, PSWDO staff, who called him to deliver the rice to the Ecotech Center in Lahug, Cebu City to certain military personnel as these were intended for indigents.

But Ramos denied the allegation, saying he was on leave on April 25 and 26 and he never called up Babor.

Babor claimed he drove the van alone and upon reaching the DepEd Sudlon area, he was stopped by five men claiming they were the ones supposed to receive the rice.

He asked for a withdrawal slip and was informed by the men that it was with Ramos at the Capitol. The sacks of rice were unloaded and transferred to an L300 Mitsubishi van bearing only a temporary company plate.

But Veloso said the L300 van could not accommodate 35 sacks of rice. Veloso believes Babor is not the only one involved.

PSWD Officer Marivic Garces cried foul over the report blaming her for the disappearance of the bags of rice from their office, stressing that she is the victim in the incident.

Garces said she is working with Veloso in investigating further to unearth the cohorts of Babor.

Babor has been relieved of his post and is barred from exercising office responsibilities pending investigation of the case. – (FREEMAN)