Unbelievable!

Apparently, as a prisoner of the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa, if you have a toothache so severe, you can put aside your incarceration, call your driver, go to your preferred dentist - who may have a clinic in the building that you own, and have your tooth treated. This is what former Batangas Governor Tony Leviste seems to have told the NBI agents who apprehended him for leaving the New Bilibid Prison, where he is currently serving out a sentence of 6 to 12 years for the murder of his long time friend. Unbelievable! This incident only proves the belief that rich, influential or famous inmates DO GET PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT!

 How can one even begin to consider this criminal’s reason for leaving the prison? Isn’t the whole idea of being in prison the loss of one’s freedom, as payment for the crime? I don’t care if he is a “living-out” prisoner or whatever. He is still one! If he has any ailment of any kind, then it should go through the proper channels. But the question is, are there any proper channels at all at the New Bilibid Prison?

 Bureau of Corrections Director Ernesto Diokino seems to be immediately washing his hands off the whole incident, giving out the lame excuse that they just cannot watch over every prisoner. That to me sounds like a man who cannot do his job. Then we can be sure that the likes of Rolito Go, Mayor Sanchez and other well connected criminals have been going out of the prison regularly. They just don’t get caught.

Everyone must be investigated, dismissed and charged if found in connivance with prisoners. It is obvious that guards and officials are involved, because only the rich and influential are the ones able to go out. Have we ever heard of a prisoner Juan de la Cruz going out because of a severe toothache he just couldn’t stand anymore? I don’t think so. A review of this so called “living-out” prisoner system must also be conducted, as it seems to be the staging point of all these infractions. These prisoners even have it better than many law-abiding citizens! How can one reconcile that idea? I really hope the Department of Justice puts its foot down on this incident. Heads must definitely roll at the New Bilibid Prison - from the lowest guard or sentry, to the director himself.