BJMP female inmates seek ouster of guards

CEBU, Philippines - At least 35 detainees in the Female Dormitory of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in Barangay Bajumpandan, Dumaguete City have signed a petition calling for the ouster of some jail guards, three of them males and two females, for alleged abusive acts, anomalous deeds and practices.

Their hand-written letter, addressed to the BJMP, the media and other government agencies, also pleaded for mercy and compassion, and for probe into their conditions inside the jail.

The inmates also called for an investigation into alleged immoral acts by jailguards, who have been into illicit affairs with inmates resulting in pregnancy, borrowed money without paying back, deny entry of visitors, maltreatment of those seeking for health assistance, and make them pay for expenses such as trips to Muntinlupa, rice allowance and even repairs of the jail.

The petitioners also alleged that some jail guards have been selling beauty products and cellphones inside the jail, while charging them for using their phones, both incoming and outgoing calls.

They further asked for an investigation on how much is the food ration they are supposed to receive everyday, considering that they were allegedly banned from cooking their own food.

"Everything has been taken away from us, including our liberty although most of us here are innocent. We are not in jail because we are criminals. A lot of us are in jail simply because we are poor and could not fight against the system. You are our only hope. Please don't fail us," the inmates said in their letter. 

Senior Jail Officer 4 Nathalie Mae Matillano, the officer-in-charge of the dorm, said she only learned about these allegations only lately after having assumed her post.

Matillano, however, believed that that this matter has already reached the BJMP-Region 7, headed by Chief Superintendent Serafin Barreto and that an investigation is now being set. She added though that some of the jail guards, mentioned in the letter, have been transferred already. (FREEMAN)