BJMP-7 director quells tension at Tagbilaran jail

TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines — Tension at the City of Tagbilaran Rehabilitation Center (CTRC) simmered down after BJMP-7 regional director Romeo Vio assured the inmates that their complaints of inhumane treatment- whether true or not-will never happen in the future.

The inmates peacefully returned to their prison cells early afternoon of Friday after a dialogue with Vio who arrived at the height of the tension at the CTRC. Vio was able to appease them especially when he gave them his cellphone number for them to directly contact him whenever they have complaints in the future.

Gines Ronda, who stood as head of the complaining inmates, earlier aired their woes to the local media after CTRC warden, Jail Senior Inspector Josephus Jelianggao openly denied allegations of inhumane treatment they suffered under his watch.

Late last week, members of the media got hold of a copy of the letter-complaint of the CTRC inmates seeking the mayor's intervention against the alleged "cruel, unjust and inhumane treatment that they were subjected to by Jelianggao, the newly installed warden.

The inmates alleged that the current system implemented by the new warden violated human rights because they were served with spoiled food unfit for human consumption, and that some inmates were forcibly awakened late at night only to be beaten up outside their cells.

Ronda said that Jelianggao allegedly allowed some inmates to attend religious activities but prohibited others, and that some inmates were banned from receiving visitors "without any valid reason and guidelines" on the matter.

Jelianggao had denied all the allegations and that he welcomed any investigation or fact-finding for the truth to come out. He explained that limiting the number of inmates in every prayer gathering or mass at the chapel was to avoid congestion and was never intended to discriminate anybody.

He also said that he was strictly implementing the policies of BJMP, especially after some untoward incidents, such as the recent death of an inmate after getting mauled by fellow inmates, and instances when visitors were caught trying to sneak drugs and other prohibited items such as cellular phones.

Jelianggao said he was even surprised that Ronda was able to contact some media men via cell phone to air out the inmates' concerns.

The tension started to escalate last Thursday night when Ronda went on air about the inmates' plan to go on hunger strike until Jelianggao would allow them to take their dinner at the hallway. Jelianggao wanted them to get inside their cells first where they would be served their meals to avoid chaos, considering the tension.

Ronda later called on the media to see for themselves the bruises that at least three inmates- Armando Sumaylo, Bernabe Dacal-dacal and Gilbert Taghoy-sustained after having been mauled allegedly upon the order of Jelianggao. He named the three inmates as Ronda requested for reporters to check the inmates' bruises are still there, and also demanded for a dialogue with Jelianggao in the presence of the media for documentation and for the public to know the real situation inside the CTRC.

Jelianggao initially agreed to have a dialogue with the inmates by Friday, but he warned them that he would use reasonable force if the inmates still refuse to follow jail policies. By Friday morning, the warden however refused to grant the dialogue, and ordered the inmates to return to their cells.

The inmates refused to heed and went on with the hunger strike until Vio came to resolve the tensed situation. - THE FREEMAN