IRC warden: Only Tupas could make me resign
IT apparently takes more than just a “Vice Governor Rolex Suplico” for lawyer Soteo Gardose to give up his post as Iloilo Rehabilitation Center (RC) warden.
Suplico urged Gardose to resign from his post following the escape of three IRC prisoners early morning of Sunday.
In the ensuing follow-up operation, one of the escapees, notorious robbery group leader Roger Palma, was killed.
While Gardose acknowledged Suplico’s suggestion, he said that they should wait for the result of the investigation of the special committee created by Iloilo Governor Niel D. Tupas, Sr.
“And if the result finds out that that I remiss in the performance of my duty, kag ang governor na mismo ang maghambal nga ako dapat na nga maga resign, then I will do so despite the fact that my appointment is protected by a security of tenure,” Gardose told ABS-CBN-Iloilo.
Further, he pointed out that since Tupas was the one who appointed him, “and if there is a loss of trust and confidence between the governor and myself, ti ano pa ang pulos ko sa IRC?”
Whatever the result of the investigation of the committee, Gardose said that he would implement it.
But aside from the committee created by the governor, the IRC jail warden said that he already directed IRC investigators to conduct their separate investigation.
“If they will see lapses on the part of our jailguards, we will file criminal and administrative charges against them,” he added.
Earlier, Gardose said that they requested for a construction of a watchtower within the IRC facility. However, such request is yet to be approved by the Iloilo Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
Suplico claimed that based on the budget of IRC, they requested P300,000 for Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE),
“I have not seen an item requested para sa pagpatindog sang watchtower,” he added.
Instead of delving on the watchtower issue, the vice governor hit Gardose for the latter’s alleged inefficiencies.
“Sa kadamo na sang iya kapalpakan. Una na ang shabu, ikadawa ang beri-beri, ikatlo ang petition kontra sa iya and now ang pagpalagyo sang mga preso dira. I think, he should consider resigning,” Suplico stated.
It was gathered that the SP will pass a a resolution condemning the escape and will call for an investigation to look into the possible lapses in the IRC administration.
After the jailbreak, Tupas created a special committee to investigate the jailbreak at the IRC in Nanga, Pototan.
The committee he created is chaired by Iloilo Provincial Legal Officer Salvador Cabaluna III, who together with his two lawyer members, started their investigation Monday.
The committee is expected to submit its report and recommendation by Friday.
To note, Palma, considered to be one of the most wanted men in the province, was facing a string of criminal cases for robbery/holdup, homicide, illegal possession of firearms, attempted highway robbery with physical injuries, and murder.
He escaped from prison with his fellow inmates Renato Dago of Barangay Pararinga, Janiuay town, and Freddie Gonzales of Bgy. Bingawan, Badiangan around 2 a.m.
Also nabbed with Dago and Gonzalez was Dago’s cousin, Arjone Randera of Bgy. Madong, Janiuay town.
Randera and another man allegedly brought firearms and explosives to the fleeing escapees.
Palma was tracked by alerted policemen of Bry. Nasirum, Mina who shot him when he attempted to lob a grenade. He succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds.
