Security tightened in 'escape-prone' prisons

By Florence F. Hibionada

The warden of the Bureau of Jail and Management Penology (BJMP) detention center in Cabatuan town was relieved following the escape of two inmates.

The Bureau has also filed administrative and criminal charges against the warden, Senior Jail Officer Edmundo Pillo 'for command responsibility,' and two other prison officials.SJO2 Eduardo Peñares replaces Pillo.

At the same time, top officials of the Bureau have instituted immediate reforms and ordered tighter security in the various BJMP detention centers to avoid similar “easy escapes” in the future.

BJMP Assistant Regional Director, Superintendent Rodolfo Rivera told The News Today that they will be strengthening not only their forces at and the cells in the Cabatuan jail.

Rivera explained that as 'procedural matter,' the relief order and the charges against the erring jail officers will be pursued. He stressed though that the Bureau is in control of the situation.

Recently, Elmer Chiva of Barangay Gaub, Cabatuan and a detainee accused of a drug case managed to escape by cutting the grills. Chiva gave himself up to the Ajuy police last Tuesday. The two inmates are now at the BJMP District Jail in Brgy. Ungka in Jaro, but they will be moved eventually to the Iloilo Rehabilitation Center for security reasons.

According to investigation, the two inmates took advantage of the absence of J O2 Novie Billeno who apparently left his post to get a drink.

Pressed for comment, SJO3 Jimmy Britanico, BJMP information officer, said that the Bureau acknowledges the security lapses. 

The incident, he pointed out, 'opened' anew the pending need for the improvement of the BJMP's detention centers, particularly those identified as 'escape-prone.'

Among those in need of improvements both in the structure and security are BJMP centers in Barotac Viejo and Oton, though Britanico stressed that escape is not solely ‘credited' to the structure itself. 

The bigger factor, he said, are on the jail officers assigned to secure the centers as in the case in New Lucena jail where despite it was not in the 'escape-prone' category, there was still a jailbreak.

Of late, the Bureau is pushing for the realization of a district jail in Camp Monteclaro, Miag-ao with the Oton BJMP facing a phase-out.

Amongst the more serious escapes on record in the region was the 1999 case in Barotac Viejo where eight inmates bolted out of jail but were rounded up after a week of manhunt.