Non-inmates allowed to live inside Cebu jail

CEBU CITY – Vice Mayor Michael Rama, presently the city’s acting mayor, has ordered an inquiry into a vendor’s claim that officials of the Bagong Buhay Rehabilitation Center (BBRC) has been allowing non-prisoners to live in the premises of the overcrowded jail.

Thirty-eight year-old Belen Cabrera, who sells coffee and milk inside the jail, claimed that she has lived inside the BBRC for almost a year now.

Cabrera alleged that there are other non-prisoners like her who have gotten the blessings of BBRC warden Lita Quilaton to live in the jail premises.

Rama has designated a member of the Police Coordinating and Advisory Council (PCAC) to verify the allegation.

Rama said that while the confiscation of a deck of shabu from Cabrera was commendable, it would be better if acting BBRC warden James Labordo would explain to the PCAC why Cabrera was allowed to live in the jail premises with Quilaton’s permission and approval.

Quilaton is now on leave and waiting for the results of an administrative investigation against her over allegations that she gave privileges to detained cult leader Ruben Ecleo Jr.

Quilaton was not available for comment on Cabrera’s claim.

Councilor Procopio Fernandez, chairman of the city council’s committee on police, fire and penology, said that apart from investigating Cabrera’s presence inside the jail, he would also encourage the BBRC personnel to be vigilant against the smuggling of illegal drugs into the center.

Fernandez said he would also investigate the ties between Cabrera and suspected big-time drug pusher Joel Tongol Nodalo, whom the plastic box containing cooked rice where the shabu was found, was intended for.

Cabrera was charged for possession of more than one gram of shabu after a laboratory examination conducted by the PNP Crime Laboratory confirmed that the substance found inside the box was the prohibited drug.

Cabrera said the wives of jail advisers or manungkulan were also allowed to live in the BBRC. She, however, could not tell the exact number.

She said Labordo might not be aware of her presence inside the jail. — Freeman News Service