Davide to restore CPDRC inmates’ privileges soon

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III is planning to restore the visitation privilege of inmates at the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) in the next two weeks.

Davide said he will discuss the plan with CPDRC personnel, including the leader of the inmates Lito Granada.

Davide said he understands the request of the inmates to see their wives and families through visitation but because of the recent controversies inside the provincial jail the privilege was suspended.

“Kanang dalaw man gud para sa mga inmates pud mao na ilang requests, ilang need to see the members of their families, their wives. But with what happened we have to suspend kay kaning dalaw dalaw, mao sad ni mahitabo nga naay mga pag-smuggle ug drugs.”  Davide said.

He said they also stopped collecting rentals of conjugal rooms.

“We’ve stopped that, giundang na. Kung duna man gani walay abang. Kailangan man sad needs sa inmates ana. Kitang mga laki, we have needs. Mao nang naay conjugal rooms. Pero dili tingale paabangan, first come first serve nalang, limit lang, pila raman na,” the governor said.

Davide said he already started exploratory talks with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology on the possibility of turning over the management of CPDRC.

Davide said there were already 16 provinces that turned over the management of their respective provincial jail to BJMP by signing a memorandum of agreement.

Here in Central Visayas, the provinces of Siquijor and Bohol have already signed a MOA with BJMP.

Davide said there are several aspects that need to be studied, including the possibility of absorbing the guards. Davide admitted it is hard to manage a jail facility especially with the huge number of inmates now in CPDRC. The provincial jail now has 3,000 inmates. —/FPL (FREEMAN)