Pubdate: Thu, 30 Dec 2004
Source: Philippine Star (Philippines)
Copyright: PhilSTAR Daily Inc. 2004
Contact:  http://www.philstar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/622
Author: Paolo Romero
Cited: Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency http://www.pdea.gov.ph
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?236 (Corruption - Outside U.S.)

STIFFER PENALTIES SOUGHT FOR COPS IN JAILBREAKS

A lawmaker asked Malacanang yesterday to certify to Congress as urgent a 
bill seeking to impose tougher penalties on policemen and jail guards who 
abet the escape of prisoners and detainees.

"Suspending or relieving them from their assignment is not enough," said 
Cavite Rep. Gilbert Remulla, House committee on public information chairman.

"They should be treated like the criminal whom they allowed to escape. The 
inadequacy in the penalty imposed on jail guards has led to the escape of 
some high-profile criminals like (suspected drug lord) Li Zhong.

"Many of our prison personnel do not mind taking the risk of losing their 
jobs in exchange for hefty rewards from these criminals who are obviously 
well financed and well connected."

Remulla said he had refiled House Bill 184 to give more teeth to the 
Revised Penal Code, following the escape of Li, alias James Mian from a 
jail at the Quezon City office of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency 
(PDEA).

When signed into law, the bill would increase the penalty for escapees and 
prisoners who attempt to escape from jail or prison, he added.

Remulla said Li's escape was obviously made possible through the connivance 
of jail guards, and he urged the PDEA to arrest all personnel who are 
directly responsible for its detention facility.

He would formally make his request to Malacanang so Congress can 
immediately act on his bill after the Christmas recess, Remulla said.

House Majority Leader Prospero Nograles said there was an urgent need to 
completely weed out rogue and negligent law enforcers and jail guards.
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