Jail warden probed for illegal release of Japanese inmate

A Makati City court has ordered a thorough investigation on the questionable release of a Japanese national facing illegal recruitment charges from detention at the Manila City Jail.

Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 138 Judge Alberico Umali said he is giving the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) 15 days to submit its findings on who should be held liable for releasing Hisaaki Suzuki, alias Aki.

Records show that then jail warden Renato Gacutan released Suzuki from detention on Oct. 18, or two days before incumbent warden Superintendent Emilio Culang took over his post.

Culang said the release was based on the order from Manila Metropolitan Trial Court Branches 2 and 21, which resolves the illegal recruitment charges filed against Suzuki.

On Nov. 16, however, the Makati court sent an “order of explanation” to the Manila City Jail after Suzuki was not brought to a hearing on Oct. 25 despite advance notice.

BJMP spokesman Senior Inspector Michelle Bonto said the Manila City Jail authorities only learned that Suzuki has an illegal recruitment case in Makati when they received the order.

In his explanation letter to Umali, Culang said Suzuki’s release was done in good faith. He apologized to Umali on Gacutan’s behalf.

BJMP chief Armando Llamasares called on his men to be more vigilant in processing inmates for release.

“While it is true that verification of jail records is painstakingly done manually by our jail personnel for lack of a computerization system and link-ups to police records and to the courts, we should always make it a point to deliver our best in the performance of our duty, leaving no room for error in the name of public safety,” he said. – Cecille Suerte Felipe