A “VERBAL tussle” between two factions inside the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) ended up with all inmates getting locked up in their cells for the whole day yesterday.
The incident, which took place past 8 a.m., resulted in the suspension of scheduled visits. Food and goodies brought by guests were also not allowed inside.
Contrary to reports, what happened was not a jail riot, said acting jail warden Gil Macato.
There was no commotion or violent confrontation, just shouting from the two sides, he said.
Punishing their own
“Nahug nga gibastos nila ang mga opisyal (prisoner) peace keepers so syempre ila gud nang trabaho so mo-react gyud sila gud (Some inmates insulted the peacekeepers and the latter reacted),” said Macato.
If the two factions have settled their differences, then scheduled visits and the inmates’ sun exposure in the quadrangle today will resume, he said.
Inmates are only allowed visits from Monday to Friday.
Chiristina Acapulco, 48, was teary-eyed when gate guards barred her from seeing her son.
Acapulco came all the way from Barangay Tilaong, Consolacion and spent more than P100 in fare to see 23-year-old Ramil.
She didn’t go to the CPDRC last week so she could save up for yesterday’s visit.
According to Macato, the jail has prisoners acting as sergeant-at-arms, or minaria. Their job is to punish erring inmates.
Yesterday, there was a report of contraband inside the facility, although it was not specified what the contraband was.
The minaria decided to punish the inmate suspected of keeping the contraband by hitting the latter in the thigh or buttock with a paddle.
Established rule
Five of the “erring” inmate’s companions went to his defense, and an argument ensued.
Macato said it’s an established rule among CPDRC inmates that a misdemeanor has a corresponding punishment to be implemented by the minaria.
Before the punishment is imposed, the minaria informs jail officials.
Macato said Lito Granada, the mayor de mayores, or the inmates’ overall leader, already talked to the two factions.
However, Macato said he has yet to talk to the “erring” inmate’s group.
The CPDRC has 119 cells that hold 20 to 30 inmates where they spend the night. In the morning, inmates are allowed out in the quadrangle.
