By CESAR JOLITO III
Negros Occidental District Jail (NODJ) acting warden Jail Chief Inspector Crisyrel Awe voluntarily stepped down from his post to allow the investigation into the alleged human rights violation inside the jail.
Awe said his decision was made to ensure transparency and to bring clarity to the issues raised against him after persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) staged a noise barrage at NODJ-Male Domitory, which concluded peacefully on Thursday, August 28, with no injuries or damages reported.
Normal jail operations immediately resumed following the incident.
The demonstration came amid grievances raised by PDLs against the jail management.
Following Awe’s resignation, Jail Senior Inspector Raymond Aro was designated as the new officer-in-charge of NODJ-MD.
In an official statement, Jail Chief Supt. Brendan Fulgencio, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in Negros Island Region (BJMP-NIR) director, stressed that they prioritized a peaceful resolution.
“It is our desire to end the situation peacefully without any injuries to any persons, PDL or personnel — and without any damage to government property. In any situation, it is the safety and welfare of PDL and personnel that is the primary consideration in any of our decisions as jail officers,” Fulgencio said.
The BJMP assured that the complaints raised by the PDLs will be thoroughly investigated, while jail operations will continue under the supervision of the newly installed officer-in-charge.
Negative
All PDLs at the Metro Bacolod District Jail-Male Dormitory and the San Carlos City District Jail tested negative in a surprise random drug test conducted by BJMP-NIR.
The operation formed part of the government’s intensified campaign for drug-free and contraband-free jails. It was carried out in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), the Bureau of Fire Protection, and the Philippine Coast Guard.
At the Metro Bacolod District Jail, Supt. Norberto Miciano, Jr. led the greyhound operation alongside the K-9 unit, which thoroughly inspected the cells and quarters of the PDLs to ensure that no contraband items were inside the facility.
On the same day, 62 BJMP personnel and 160 PDLs underwent random drug testing. Results showed that all tested negative, with no illegal drugs or prohibited items found during the inspection.
Meanwhile, a similar operation was staged at the San Carlos City District Jail under the supervision of acting jail warden, Jail Senior Inspector Joaquin Jude Ledesma.
Around 6:00 a.m., PDLs, including women detainees, were temporarily moved to an open area while jail personnel and PDEA agents inspected the cells.
Drug testing was also conducted by the jail nurse with the assistance of PDEA, and both jail staff and PDLs tested negative.
Strict safety and health protocols, including the wearing of face masks, were observed throughout the operations.
In a statement by BJMP-NIR, the successful operations highlight the government’s commitment to maintaining secure and drug-free detention facilities, as well as ensuring a drug-free workplace through continuous random drug testing.
“These efforts are part of the comprehensive measures under the Bagong Pilipinas campaign to safeguard our jails from illegal drugs and contraband,” it said./CJ, WDJ