Jail guards on high alert as warden foils planned 'riot'
Security in the new Iloilo Rehabilitation Center (IRC) in Pototan, Iloilo is on extra alert as measures were heightened to guard the premises and IRC operations in the coming days.
Such after retired Police Senior Supt. Juan Mabugat, IRC warden, uncovered a planned 'riot' pushed by a group of disgruntled inmates. For days now Mabugat said he has been getting information and tips on a 'destabilization' plot designed by the group of inmate Ernie Del Castillo, one of the detained suspects in the Kidnapping for Ransom (KFR) case of Jefferson Tan.
As evidence, said warden disclosed having intercepted a piece of paper passed around for signatures seeking support on the purported Del Castillo plan. Talks also abound, he disclosed, of yet another alleged "more serious" plan of the group, reason why in last week's Court hearings of Del Castillo and other co-KFR accused, IRC guards are in full-battle gears and double the number than the usual. Hearings at Branch 30, 6th RTC under Presiding Judge Adriano Savillo are done in closed doors with at least three armed IRC guards guarding the door throughout the proceedings.
"It was first a blank yellow pad where they asked that signatures be placed then someone just filled up the space for their complaints and demands," Mabugat said in The News Today (TNT) phone interview Saturday. "I confronted some of them and they of course all denied it."
Pressed for specifics, Mabugat explained that the root of the plotters' discontent was his decision to stop the "mayor de mayores"system inside the IRC. If for years there was to be the head of the so-called jail mafia and several sub-heads or chiefs in each wing, since Mabugat began the stay at the new IRC, all inmates are of equal 'rank' to each other.
"We already learned our lessons in the past. So no way that I will give in this time. Yes, security is up but everything is under control," he added.
The plot as Mabugat bared was to take off with a noise barrage today (Monday) then several other "mass actions."
Lawyer Edeljulio Romero, counsel for Del Castillo was reached for comment as he confirmed the plot relayed by his client. The riot as agreed will push through yet the "mayor de mayores" issue, he continued, is only the sidelight and not the real cause.
For instance, for days now the inmates were reportedly subjected to deplorable conditions particularly the food served to them. The rice fed to the inmates were said to be so bad that even fed to the dogs are not edible. There is also never enough food for everybody and the water they all fear is not potable.
"They said they live in a palace with the new IRC building but inside everything is worse. And now that my client has been singled out as the most vocal of this problem, he fears for his safety inside. His family was alarmed and rushed to the jail last Saturday because we got information that Ernie was asked to get out of his cell and not heard of from then. They say 'martial law' is in effect there now," Romero added.
Meantime, reports of "intervention" from religious group Iglesia ni Kristo (INK) was confirmed by Mabugat. The warden said he was 'threatened' to give in to the demands of the Del Castillo bloc yet his position stays against it.
"We are still in transition period. My plans for the new IRC will continue and we will not bow down to any of their destabilization plans or threats," he ended.