Pubdate: Tue, 16 Aug 2016
Source: Sun.Star Cebu (Philippines)
Column: On the Go
Copyright: 2016 Sun.Star
Contact:  http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1690
Author: Publio J. Briones III

CULPABILITY

FORMER Cebu City Jail warden Johnson Calub and 28 senior jail guards 
will not be reporting to work today. Calub might even face an 
administrative case if there's proof he was "remiss in his duty." 
Meanwhile, a team of investigators from the Bureau of Jail Management 
and Penology 7 Regional Investigation and Prosecution Division will 
subject the jail officers to an inquiry if there is enough basis to 
include them.

Hold on. Is this related to the discovery of P4,653,400 in cash, 
illegal drugs and appliances inside the facility? So what's with the 
"if he was 'remiss in his duty'" and "if there is enough basis to 
include them?"

You mean there's a slight chance they will not be held liable for 
that major boo-boo?

First and foremost, it's a prison. Security is supposed to be tight.

In fact, back in 2000, a woman who visited her husband, who was 
behind bars for drugs, was caught with a pack of shabu after she was 
frisked by the guards. It fell from her waist while she was removing 
her shorts for the routine checkup. Of course, she denied the allegation.

Also that year, another woman visiting her husband ended up in jail 
after authorities seized three packs of shabu from her. The 
contraband was carefully wrapped in a handkerchief she was clutching 
in her hand while she was being frisked.

In 2006, a 25-year-old woman was arrested for trying to smuggle in 
half a gram of "high-grade" shabu inside the jail by hiding it inside 
her panties.

She had inserted the pack of shabu between the fabrics of her 
underwear and stitched them together so it would not fall. However, 
the protrusion was noticed and she was asked to take off her underwear.

When jail guards ripped open the stitching, they found something 
wrapped in yellow plastic that was heavily scotchtaped. When they 
opened the pack, lo and behold, they found shabu inside.

These three incidents took place when the facility was still called 
the Bagong Buhay Rehabilitation Center next to the I.T. Park.

Back then, a body search was standard practice inside the jail to 
discourage visitors and guests from bringing prohibited drugs and weapons.

I don't know if this was stopped when the facility was transferred to 
Barangay Kalunasan. Because, how else would you explain the amount of 
shabu found last Saturday?

This prompted PDEA 7 Director Yogi Ruiz to remark it was evident that 
the supply of shabu inside is higher than it is outside. "They lack 
security," Ruiz added.

Like, duh?! If inmates were able to smuggle in items that are not 
allowed inside the jail like laptops, flat-screen TVs, cellular 
phones and branded shoes, what more something that can be hidden 
inside a panty lining.

In fairness to Calub, he did say he recommended banning physical 
contact between inmates and their visitors. Why this was never 
implemented, I have no idea.

But no matter how you look at it, Calub and the jail's personnel will 
have a hard time escaping culpability.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom