Vizcaya warden denies inmate’s torture

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya — The provincial jail warden denied allegations that some jail guards had tortured an inmate whom they suspected of having exposed alleged irregularities such as the peddling of shabu and liquor, inside the provincial jail.

Instead, newly installed provincial jail warden Benzon Cadiente said the victim, a certain Billy Tomas, was beaten up by a "trustee" prisoner (bastonero) for failing to return garden tools.

Earlier reports said a group of provincial board members, led by Vice Gov. Luisa Lloren-Cuaresma, learned about the alleged torture when they visited the provincial jail to look into the alleged irregularities.

Tomas, along with four other inmates, was reportedly summoned to an executive session of the provincial board to shed light on the alleged torture.

The inmate reportedly showed the board members severe bruises in the lower part of his body, including a swollen lower leg which, he claimed, was padded with a baseball bat.

Earlier, several inmates accused some jail guards of irregularities, including the selling of liquor inside the jail at exorbitant prices and extorting money from their families and visitors.

After the media published the inmates’ allegations, Gov. Rodolfo Agbayani ordered provincial legal officer Basilio Rupisan to investigate the charges.

The results of the inquiry, however, have not yet been released to the media.

Agbayani even designated Cadiente, one of his close aides, to serve as officer-in-charge of the provincial jail, replacing retired Col. Alejandre Tamani.

It was not known, however, if Tamani’s sudden replacement was connected with alleged irregularities inside the provincial jail.

The provincial legislative body, headed by Cuaresma, is also conducting a parallel investigation "in aid of legislation."