Inmates' fate depend on probe at CPDRC

CEBU, Philippines - Governor Gwen Garcia will wait for the results of the investigation on the commotion that happened last Friday at the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center which led to the suspension of the inmates’ privileges.

Garcia said that only after learning the investigation results will she decide whether to restore or extend the suspension of all privileges extended to the inmates.

“Depende gyud na nila. (It’s up to them.) They brought this upon themselves. We’ll see,” Garcia, in a press conference yesterday said that she will make her move accordingly.

Garcia has tasked lawyer Jose Maria Gastardo, the Capitol consultant on jail matters, to look into the whole incident and start a thorough investigation.

She said she already discussed the matter well with Gastardo.

The investigation would also verify complaints from the inmates that they were not fed since last Friday’s incident and that jail authorities turned brutal against them.

“After that incident, daghan dayong mga text purportedly gikan sa mga inmates. Nahibong lang ko giunsa pagkatext sa mga inmates na wa man g’yud na silay cellphone (…there are many text messages purportedly from the inmates. I just wonder how the inmates sent text messages when they don’t have cellphones.)… so I guess there will always be attempts to put a spin on the story and come up with a certain angle in order to benefit for whosoever,” she said.

The governor said that it has been her policy to extend the suspension of the CPDRC inmates’ privileges if they create a noise barrage, although Gastardo has denied that neither a noise barrage nor a riot occurred inside the jail that day.

“CPDRC could also mean Cebu Provincial Discipline and Rehabilitation Center,” Garcia said.

Last Friday, a commotion erupted when a group of dancing inmates attacked a fellow prisoner, Carillo Balueza, 26, for allegedly verbally harassing them during their practice.

Consequently, the inmates are no longer allowed to go out of their cells and their meals are now being delivered to them.  (FREEMAN)