Jail warden told: Destroy "kubols"

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama yesterday ordered the new city jail warden to destroy the “kubols” or makeshift hut inside the jail facility to ensure that no special treatment among the inmates.

Rama ordered jail warden Johnson Calub to start dismantling the “kubols” before he personally do it. The Mayor reminded Calub of what he does several years ago wherein he led the destruction of kubols inside the old Bagong Buhay Rehabilitation Center facility.

Calub, who assumed office last Monday following the relief of Jail Supt. Maria Victoria Jimenez, paid a courtesy call on Rama yesterday. Rama bluntly asked Calub if he is not corrupt and why he accepted the position.

“I admired him because he told me he wants to become the chief of the BJMP,” Rama said, referring to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, the agency that runs most of the detention facilities in the country.

Calub has made Talisay City Jail as the best jail nationwide. He has been admired for having no single incident of escape in Talisay during his nine years of watch.

Rama told Calub that he does not want the Cebu City jail to become a laboratory of criminals instead of being a rehabilitation center.

“There are so many policies formulated by the jail officials but the problem is that these are not implemented that is why the possession of cellphones, bladed weapon and even illegal drugs are very rampant in jail,” Rama said.

While he admitted having admired Calub, but Rama said he wants him to prove himself. (FREEMAN)