BJMP probes report Ivler holding party inside jail

MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology has ordered an investigation on reports that road rage suspect Jason Ivler was allowed to hold parties and bring women inside the Quezon City Jail.

Ivler is detained for murder charges for allegedly shooting dead Renato Ebarle Jr., whose father Renato Sr. worked in the Office of the Executive Secretary in Malacañang, in a fit of road rage on Nov. 18, 2009. He also shot agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) who was about to arrest him.

BJMP chief Director Rosendo Dial said he tasked Senior Superintendent Rex Villarmente, chief of the BJMP-Directorate for Investigation (DI) to conduct inquiry and submit within the day their findings on the matter. “We will not tolerate any wrongdoings. We will get to the bottom of the matter,” Dial said.

The BJMP chief ordered the investigation after photos and videos circulated on the Internet that Ivler was having parties inside the jail, with women and liquor allowed inside. Dial, however, sounded like he has cleared BJMP personnel on the controversy by saying the pictures were taken during yuletide season in 2010 and during preparation for barangay elections.

The BJMP chief said the photos were taken on Dec. 31, 2010 during the term of Superintendent Nestor Velasquez, the successor of present QCJ warden Senior Superintendent Hernan Grande.

Grande assumed office in January. “The picture showing Ivler with a woman and a child was taken Dec. 31, 2010 was taken inside the jail. In the spirit of Christmas, we allowed festive mood,” Dial noted.

Dial added that another picture showing Ivler with a girl inside the cell was taken while inmates were preparing for the barangay elections.

“Even Ivler denied he was allowed to hold parties inside the jail. Some of the pictures was taken in 2009,” Dial added. “Ivler is treated as other inmates are.” Dial said that the BJMP is under strict security implementation making the entry of contrabands impossible.

Dial said there was no VIP treatment to Ivler nor to any inmates. “The bureau is very open to the media for any interview so the public may be clarified and enlightened with the truth on the way BJMP delivers its services.”

Dial said that BJMP is serious in its efforts of intensifying security in jails and improving the living conditions of inmates consistent with the order of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo.