BACOLOD CITY – Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) at the Negros Occidental District Jail (NODJ) in Barangay Tabunan, Bago City held a noise barrage on Thursday morning, Aug. 28, calling for the ouster of jail warden Jail Chief Insp. Crisyrel Awe due to unfair treatment.

Jail Senior Insp. Juniven Umadhay, spokesperson of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology-Negros Island Region (BJMP-NIR), said the protest action came days after a gun was thrown inside the facility on Sunday, Aug. 24, which prompted the jail to implement stringent measures for the safety of the personnel and PDLs.

Umadhay said that two PDLs have been isolated after they were identified through intelligence information and investigation that they were the alleged recipients of a homemade .45 caliber pistol with a magazine and seven live bullets thrown over the perimeter wall.

The separation of these two PDLs from other inmates is a precautionary measure to protect them from any retribution from their alleged security violations, he added.

“This cannot be taken lightly. They were subjected to disciplinary procedure and isolation, pending further investigation,” Umadhay said.

He denied maltreatment inside the facility, asserting the necessity of the heightened security measures, following an earlier attempt on a jail officer’s life outside the facility last month. The tightened security measures include wearing of bullet vests and helmets, as well as long firearms for tower security personnel to safeguard themselves.

“It does not aim to intimidate or for the purpose of maltreating them. It’s only intended for jail officers to protect themselves,” Umadhay said, stressing that any physical harm on PDLs is strictly prohibited.

The BJMP-NIR addressed allegations on cashless system irregularities, saying it has been an existing policy of the BJMP to prevent bribery, extortion, and corruption on jail officers, and inequality among PDLs as this can be used to influence or create abuses. The system is a lawful program implemented by the jail warden pursuant to a circular by the jail bureau.

Umadhay said that negotiations were conducted with PDLs early this week, in the presence of their legal counsels, to explain to them the stringent measures currently imposed in the jail. “It’s a way to get their side to effectively implement these policies,” he added. He said that the negotiations turned out well.

In a statement, Jail Chief Supt. Brendan Fulgencio, BJMP-NIR director, said that they will cater all complaints and allegations of all individuals or groups on matters about their mandate and lawful duties as public servants, because that is what they have sworn to do.

If ever there is substantial evidence on the allegation, an appropriate penalty is in order against erring personnel, he added.

The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) has deployed personnel to help the BJMP.

Police Lt. Col. Joem Malong, PRO-NIR spokesperson, said the police’s role is only to provide external support, particularly by securing the outer perimeter of the jail facility to prevent escapes and unauthorized entry; managing crowds outside the jail, including relatives or onlookers who may converge due to the viral reports; and reinforcing BJMP operations if the situation escalates beyond their capacity, always under the coordination and authority of the warden.

She noted that the police do not intervene inside the jail unless specifically requested by BJMP authorities.

“Our function is to ensure that order and security are maintained in the immediate surroundings while respecting the BJMP’s primary jurisdiction inside the facility,” she added.