'I will not let those bastard kidnappers compromise the jail,' warden Mabugat declares
Iloilo -- Some forty inmates of the Iloilo Rehabilitation Center (IRC), mostly murder and rape suspects, were wounded in a surprise "attack" staged inside their prison cells Monday evening. With injuries mostly in the head and upper body, the inmates point to five jail guards as their assailants with the alleged participation of retired Police Senior Supt. Juan Mabugat, IRC warden.
The guards and the warden reportedly forced the inmates out of cells 41, 42 and 45 as they took turns in beating up the group. The News Today (TNT) got the names of the injured, 15 of whom came from cell 41, 11 from cell 45 and 14 from cell 42.
An apparent sanction over Monday morning's "riot" and noise barrage, Mabugat in an interview with Capitol reporters admitted to the physical episode yet justified the action saying "it was part of the game."
"I decided to separate those we identified to have started the noise barrage. We pulled them out of their cells but their buddies would pull them back. So there was a tug-of-war and naturally, they were hurt in the process. Kabalo kamo, part na ina sang disiplina sa ila, (See, that is part of discipline on them) And they want to play their game? Let the games begin. We are ready to play with them. I ordered for the most maximum in tolerance yet we will react accordingly if they push us against the wall," he said.
The inmates demanded the resignation of Mabugat while blaming him for what they said were deplorable and unsanitary living conditions inside the jail. Foremost of the inmates' woes was on the food served to them which they said is not even fit for animals. And the water, the inmates added was dirty and leaves a foul taste.
"Abi singgana si Mabugat nga pakita niya sa amon nga gina-inom niya tubig diri. Priso man gani kami pero indi naman na husto nga ang pagtratar sa amon sobra pa sa sapat (Why not let Mabugat show to us that he will drink the water here. Yes we are prisoners but it is not right for them to treat us worse than animals)," one inmate yelled.
With Monday's noise barrage came the display of made-up streamers and placards pleading for intervention of Governor Niel Tupas and the media.
Asked if he would consider the clamor of the inmates and will work on changing the rules and provisions inside the new multi-million jail, Mabugat replied with a quick no.
"There is nothing wrong here. We have no problem here. And no way will I let those bastard kidnappers compromise the IRC. Yes, everything is under control here," he said.
Mabugat has since identified the group of Ernie Del Castillo and Jonathan Poblacion, prime suspects in the kidnapping for ransom case of Jefferson Tan as the prime movers of the IRC trouble. And such, he added, was only because said group are out to impose their demand for the "mayor de mayores" system or mafia-like brotherhood inside the jail.
With cuts and bruises, those injured in what was reported to be a one-way fight were Antonio Pabilona, Rene Pabilona, Anthony Tamon, Juan Muela, Orly Nesmal, FrederickCabrera, Jerry Lasaca, Edgar Lilia, Romel Narciso, Benjamin Narciso, Romeo Pareño, Leslie Garceretano, Leo Trestesa, Baltazar Baranco and Reynaldo Alumia all of cell 41.
Wounded from cell 45 were Wil Baranco, Ramie Lauron, Rosenie Gonsalez, Wenie Conjusta, Alfonso Silao, Lanes Pelomino, Jose Lastimoso, Arnold Labitoria, Roger Gaycan, Nestor Parcon and Jimmy Mallorca.
And from cell 42, those who complained of the alleged beatings were Rene Doktura, Ricky Casquete, Arly Casquete, Renato Larosa, Fernando Peres, Clemente Catolico, Daniel Milan, Joel Latoza, Jonathan Gilaran, Onie Palma, Gerome Silvestre, Ernesto Laguimdam, Dindo Peres and Faustino Espisor. Inmate Doktura in an interview yesterday afternoon pleaded to see a doctor. He was in chills due to a fever and was complaining of massive pain. He said a jail guard whom he asked for help took pity on him and gave him paracetamol yet by yesterday afternoon, his chills were back.
"Ma'am, maluoy man kamo. Pangayu-i kami bulig. Palantaw lang kami sa doktor (Maam, have pity on us. Get us help. Please get us to see a doctor)," Doktura who must be in his late 50s said.
IRC guards who reportedly provided back-up for Warden Mabugat were Provincial Guards (PG) 2 Ruel Legario, Randy Rutor, Jose Rojas, Anthony Deocariza and Anthony Belioga. Legario was also said to have been off duty when the "attack" was made.
Tupas along with Board Member Domingo Oso, Jr. yesterday made a visit and spoke with some five inmates including Del Castillo.
Asked on the meeting with Tupas, Del Castillo told The News Today he personally narrated everything to the Governor and is hoping that something will come out of it.
After the meeting Tupas reportedly called for an immediate investigation of the prisoners' complaints.
He has tasked the Provincial Legal Office to make the inquiry.
Mabugat for his part expressed willingness to open the IRC and his administration for any probe.
Earlier, Tupas said he will look into the complaints raised by some of the prisoners particularly on the food that is being served to them.
The governor however noted that the complainants were only a small part of the more than 800 IRC inmates.
As to the request of some inmates to have the "mayor de mayores" system revived inside the new IRC Tupas said "we could not grant it."
"There is no need for the 'mayor de mayores' since on the average there are only 10 to 12 inmates in each cell," Tupas stressed.
Tupas called on the prisoners to bring out their complaints in a peaceful manner in order not to aggravate the situation.