Gastardo to pursue changes at CPDRC

CEBU, Philippines - Capitol consultant on jail matters, Atty. Jose Maria Gastardo intends to pursue changes inside the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center.

Gastardo told members of the provincial board regarding his plans for CPDRC during the provincial board’s regular session yesterday where Gastardo was invited to answer questions regarding the recent near-riot incident inside the CPDRC.

One of the changes being initiated by the newly-appointed consultant is the drafting of an operations manual which was already endorsed to the provincial board.

Gastardo said he is also discussing with new acting jail warden Napoleon Miranda to identify the lapses committed by the previous CPDRC management and to find solutions.

“Not to criticize the former administration sa CPDRC, but naa g’yud siguro’y mga (there may really be some) lapses which we like to address,” Gastardo told the provincial board presided by Vice governor Agnes Magpale.

Another change Gastardo imposed at the CPDRC is the banning of families from staying with the inmates in their detention cells.

As soon as he assumed the post, Gatardo said they conducted a greyhound operation and confiscated three sacks of contrabands such as ropes, GI sheets, and a rice cooker among others.

“Lax lang g’yud sila sa ilang management ug possibly, there was connivance. How could you imagine a rice cooker, ingon ana kadako, nakasod sa jail facility past inspection? (They were really lax with their management. A rice cooker is quite big but managed to slip past inspection and was discovered inside the facility)”, the lawyer said.

After last February 24’s incident, surprise inspections were done regularly to minimize the entry of contraband in jail. With the help of Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and the provincial government, Gastardo said they also plan to install CCTV cameras or motion detectors in the detention cells.

Gastardo said he heard reports that illegal drugs are sneaked inside CPDRC, though he has yet to verify this. He also committed to the PB to do something about the problem.

Earlier reports said inmate Carillo Balueza brandished an improvised ice pick for unclear reasons and was mobbed by fellow inmates at the CPDRC.

Garcia called it a “minor” incident, but immediately locked down the 1,600-inmate facility and suspended visitation rights, dance rehearsals and communal meals.

Gastardo also denied that there has been a noise barrage and riot inside but explained that if there was any noise, it would be during the distribution of food. He said the inmates are no longer allowed to get out of their cells as the food is delivered to them.  (FREEMAN)