Sacked Davao warden files raps

DAVAO CITY — Outgoing Davao Penal Colony (Dapecol) chief warden Alfredo Gozon has filed charges of grave misconduct and oppression against Bureau of Corrections director Ricardo Macala for his unceremonious dismissal last week.

"It is now clear that this blatantly irregular investigation and unceremonious order for my relief by Macala are violations of my basic constitutional right to due process which amount to grave misconduct, and are acts of oppression utilized to retaliate against me for embarrassing the administration," Gozon said in his complaint.

Macala relieved Gozon effective last Friday for alleged mismanagement of Dapecol funds and grave misconduct.

Gozon, however, said he was not given the chance to refute the accusations against him.

"I received the radiogram (about my relief) even before any notice of the investigation and hearing of the charges had been made," Gozon said.

Gozon said his relief was based on charges which the Ombudsman-Mindanao earlier had dismissed.

He said he might have earned Macala’s ire because of his active advocacy for the plight of overstaying prisoners. — Edith Regalado