Two other CPDRC guards face probe

CEBU, Philippines - The decision to disallow the mother of the inmate who escaped from the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center from entering the jail is the new focus of investigation.

The failure to see his mother was what reportedly prompted Renante Dela Rosa to escape Thursday last week. The visit was supposed to be the first time he was to see his mother after he was jailed last February 2009 for murder charges.

However, Dela Rosa’s mother was not allowed to enter CPDRC because she did not have an identification card with her. She came from Sibonga town and it was her first time to visit the facility.

Security Guard 1 Romer Opunda and Prison Guard 1 Alito Gabuya were the ones manning the entrance at that time.

CPDRC warden Alger Comendador said the two guards will most likely be summoned for investigation.

CPDRC assistant warden Reynaldo Pepito said they require visitors to present an ID, but they can give consideration especially to those from distant municipalities and could visit rarely owing to financial constraints.

“Nag-buot-buot ra man sila na wa pasudla. Wa gi-refer sa amoa nga muhatag man unta mi ug consideration sa mga first time visitors ug kadtong gikan pa intawon sa mga lagyong probinsya,” Pepito said.

“Maninda pa intawon na sila sa ilang mga kahayupan. So posible magpahigayon ta ug investigation against sa mga gwardya nganong wa nila pasudla ang maong bisita,” Pepito added.

Dela Rosa contacted Pepito and surrendered last Saturday afternoon.

He said he decided to surrender after his mother convinced him to do so. He reportedly contacted his mother through her mobile phone and she told him that policemen were looking for him at their house in Sibonga.

Dela Rosa said he really wanted to see his mother because he missed her very much.

“Mingaw na gyud kaayo nya wala na sad ko’y magamit diri sa sulod maong nakahunahuna gyud ko ug eskapo. Mao pa to gyud unta siya makadalaw nako,” he said.

After successfully escaping from CPDRC, Dela Rosa said he walked to his friend’s house in Barangay Duljo-Fatima in Cebu City because he did not have any money.

“Pero mi-surrender na lang ko. Pait ma-wanted, dili ka ka-tarong ug tog. Gamay kasikas makamata ka, maong nakahunahuna ko ug surrender na lang. Ingon sad akong inahan surrender na dong kay daghang nagsige ug pangita nimo diri,” he said.

He said his mother only managed to come down to the city and visit him last Thursday because it was only at that time that she had money to travel.

After meeting the Counsel of Leaders, a group composed of inmate officers, Pepito said they decided to place Dela Rosa in isolation for security reasons.

He reportedly caught the ire of the inmates following Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia’s statement that inmates will no longer be allowed to have their families stay with them in jail overnight on Christmas eve, following Dela Rosa’s escape. — (FREEMAN)