2 teens among 44 ‘psych’ patients at IRC
Two teen-age male inmates of the Iloilo Rehabilitation Center (IRC) are among the 44 detainees here undergoing and in need of continued psychiatric treatment.
Though yet unclear as to why and how the seeming “mental outbreak” occurred all at the same period, IRC management in an official list made public the identities of the inmates turned patients.
First teen-age ‘psych’ patient is an 18 year-old inmate accused of homicide and has been in IRC detention since April 25, 2008. He is a native of Barangay Abiloy, Maasin, Iloilo.
Second in the group of 44 ‘psych’ detainees is a 19 year-old native of Barangay Iwa, Pototan who stands accused of rape. He was remitted to the IRC September of 2008.
Status of the duo is “for treatment” after an initial psychiatric evaluation by provincial health officials.
Similar status for 35 others alongside a smaller group of 7 who have been categorized as of press time as “for evaluation.”
IRC records showed that the longest-staying inmate having mental problems now is a native of Barangay Cruz, Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo. He was remitted to the IRC in November of 1998 for a homicide case.
In contrast are two latest additions to the IRC population, a native of Barangay Belen, Banate, Iloilo who was remitted April of 2009 only. The other one is a native of Barangay Bangcal, Tigbauan, Iloilo who was remitted in February of this year. Both stands accused of Frustrated Murder and Murder and Attempted Homicide, respectively.
This “mental outbreak” comes in the wake of the yet to be resolved and cured medical condition of scores of inmates found to be suffering from nutritional deficiencies.
Showing severe symptoms that resulted to the death of one and diagnosis of two others with enlarged hearts, catered IRC food has since been blamed on the fate of the detainees.