The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) on Thursday said it would investigate the protest staged by persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) on the rooftop of Iloilo District Jail in Barangay Nanga, Pototan, Iloilo City.
In an interview during DZRH’s Dos Por Dos on Wednesday, BJMP Spokesperson Xavier Solda said they would address the inmates’ complaints, particularly the alleged lack of food and blocking of food by jail officials sent by their families and relatives.
In a viral video on Facebook posted on Tuesday, over 100 PDLs were seen standing on the district jail rooftop shouting and holding placards that indicates “Gutom na kami. Layas Warden” and “Warden Layas. Gutom, Gutom kami”.
“Ito mga PDL na under ng BJMP ay on-going palang ang trial, hindi pa napapatunayan na nagkasala sila. Kaya maski kami dito sa BJMP ay inuunawa din namin yung sitwasyon nila. Kaya kahit may ganito silang concern ay kailangan namin pag-aaralan, tignan at alamin para kung may problema talaga ay maayos namin ang problema at kung may mali ay mai-tama namin,” Solda said.
Following the incident, Regional BJMP spokesman Jairus Anthony Dogelio then announced that Iloilo District Jail chief inspector Norberto Miciano Jr., who allegedly gives inmates one meal a day, was relieved from his post.
He was replaced by jail chief inspector Denver Beltran.
Solda admitted that the bureau lacks funding for inmates’ food.
“Ang budget natin ay Php 70.00 per PDL per day, kasama ang almusal, tanghalian, at hapunan. Kasama dyan ang fuel. Kung tutuusin, kulang ho ang budget na ‘yan,” he said.
But the BJMP spox claimed that inmates are required to be given three meals a day — breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
“Ang proseso, meron kaming tinatawag na Regional Food Service Council. Ito yung supervising body sa pag p-prepare ng menu ng mga jail warden natin. Ngayon , ang mga warden natin nag p-prepare ng menu at meron kaming health services na tumitingin sa pangangailangan ng mga PDL natin,” he explained.
He said officers of the regional food service council are doing their utmost effort to help create a sufficient meals for inmates.
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. on Thursday ordered BJMP Chief Jail Director Allan Iral to conduct an immediate investigation on the said incident.
