Garcia sees collaboration between guards, escapees

CEBU, Philippines - Seeing a pattern in the recent escapes of Cebu provincial jail inmates, Governor Gwendolyn Garcia recommended for the dismissal of jail guards once another escape occurred under their watch.

In a press conference yesterday, Garcia said she suspected that escapees are collaborating with jail guards based on the pattern on the previous escapees.

“I seem to be seeing a pattern here. Mananghid na mohapit sa ilang pamilya unya mo-eskapo. Unya authorized diay ang jail guards ana nga wa man na sa court order? (They (inmates) just asked to visit their family then escaped. Are jail guards authorized (to permit inmates) when it is not in the court order? ” she said.

The governor said the same thing happened in the past wherein inmates of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) escaped from their escorts.

“Sayon ra man gud. If i-suspend ka, fine, total naa bitaw compensation (It’s just easy. It is fine if you are suspended since there is still compensation),” Garcia said, referring to the jail guards.

She further said she received information on such negotiation without elaborating. With this, Garcia said she has ordered the Committee on Discipline and Investigation under the Office of the Governor to recommend for dismissal of guards if another inmate escapes due to their negligence.

Last Jan. 10, inmate Kim Inbento, who is facing a murder case, escaped from his escort after attending a court hearing in Bogo City.

He asked his escort, Felix Betasalo, to allow him to visit his family in Medellin, a request which the escort agreed. In Medellin, Betasalo was reliving himself when Inbento escaped.

In December last year, inmate Jojo Gañolon escaped from his escort while he and 20 other inmates were having lunch at a carenderia after attending a court hearing.

In June 27, inmate Edison Cabahug also escaped from the watch of his escort while they were out to attend a court hearing at the Municipal Circuit Trial Court (MCTC) in Borbon town.

He asked his escort if he could drop by his house to visit his parents.

But while at his house, Cabahug, who is facing charges of illegal possession of firearms and possession of illegal drugs, suddenly escaped. (FREEMAN)