PCAC's help sought to block ex-mayor's transfer to City Jail

CEBU, Philippines - The Police Coordinating and Advisory Council has asked the City Legal Office to intervene in the impending transfer of former Lezo town mayor Alfredo Arsenio from the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) to the Cebu City Jail.

PCAC, in a resolution, noted the concerns of City Jail OIC warden Jail Superintendent Johnson M. Calub that the City Jail is already congested and is also in custody of a number of “high profile and high risk” inmates requiring utmost security attention.

“Apaprently, Cebu City Jail Male Dormitory is over congested and also in custody a numerous number of high profile and high risk inmates who require utmost security measures inside and outside jail facility particularly during court hearing and other special occasion that the competent court of law will allow,” Calub said in his letter to PCAC Chairman Eugene Elizalde.

Calub said that the male dormitory for a long time now has always been faced with a problem of lack of personnel.

“Maybe because of the abrupt increase of the jail population,” Calub said.

“If the transfer of Alfredo Arsenio will push through it would add burden for us specifically in terms of security,” he added.

PCAC for its part agreed that Arsenio’s transfer may be an additional burden to the jail based on the very reason he will be transferred by the capitol, which is due to his mischief inside the CPDRC allegedly in connivance with some jail personnel.

“It is the stand of this body to strongly oppose the possible transfer of said inmate to the Cebu City Jail for obvious reasons,” the PCAC resolution reads.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama earlier expressed his opposition to Arsenio’s transfer because he said the City Jail is not ready for another high risk inmate.

Arsenio is in jail for a murder charge allegedly committed in Aklan province. The hearing of his case was transferred to Cebu City to prevent him from using his influence in Aklan. — (FREEMAN)