BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Two inmates of the Negros Occidental District Jail (NODJ) at Brgy Tabunan in Bado City escaped last week, causing the relief of the warden and the reshuflling of six jail guards who were on-duty at the time.
NODJ warden Supt. Hilbert Flor was relieved because of the jailbreak, as the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) has a one-strike policy, according to BJMP-Western Visayas regional director Sr. Supt. Ignacio Panti. "It has created a domino effect."
The six jail guards were also reshuffled as the jailbreak is being investigated, he said. "We have yet to establish whether or not there is a negligence of duty on their part. We will follow the recommendation of the investigator," he added.
Panti said the investigator was still gathering statements from the other prisoners, who may have an idea about the jailbreak.
The police identified the escapees as Charlie Duran, 25, of Calatrava town who is facing murder, direct assault and illegal possession of firearms charges, and Jimmy Sablan, 35, of La Castellana town who is facing illegal gun charges.
The two were however re-captured in La Castellana last Saturday. They are now being held at the Bacolod City District Jail-Male Dormitory, while documents for their transfer to designated wards are being processed.
Chief Insp. Gilbert Peremne, jail provincial administrator of Negros Occidental, said the regional office has not taken actions on the six jail guards and the case is still being investigated. "If proven that the jail guards neglected their duty, they will be dismissed from the service," he said.
The regional investigators will arrive at the NODJ soon to re-enact the escape of Sablon and Duran, who, according to initial investigation, made a makeshift bamboo ladder and used it in scaling the inner-perimeter fence and then jumping off from the 15-foot high concrete wall of the jail compound.
Flor was transferred to BJMP-Western Visayas Office as assistant regional director for operations. He was replaced by Sr. Insp. Richard Servano, former chief of Barotac Viejo District Jail, as warden of the NODJ.
Servano was replaced by Chief Insp. Vicente Papelera, former warden of the Bacolod City District Jail, whose post was taken over by Senior Insp. Castle Masip, warden of San Carlos City Jail.
Inspector Debson Aguilar, former head of the La Carlota City Jail, is now warden of San Carlos City Jail. (FREEMAN)