Dalaw privileges of inmates back

CEBU, Philippines — The visitation privileges of inmates inside the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center were restored effective yesterday.

CPDRC Assistant Warden Audesti Miguel confirmed this, saying that the management endorsed it to be lifted after an evaluation.

“For the greater good, we have made evaluations together with two other members of the CPDRC Team. We have discussed it under the authority of the good governor so we have decided to get back the dalaw privileges of the inmates,” he explained when asked why the suspension was lifted.

The privilege was suspended for three days after a surprise search yielded illegal drugs and cellphones. Miguel said that in order for the suspension to never happen again, the inmates should abide by the rules and regulations of the facility, especially concerning contraband.

However, the privilege is still suspended for the inmates in cells 26 and 98. A total of six grams of suspected shabu were seized from these cells during the search.

Miguel also assured that high-profile CPDRC inmate Greco Sanchez is safe as he is in isolation and not allowed to mix with the jail’s general population.

Last Wednesday, former board member Gigi Sanchez went to see the governor and vice governor to discuss several matters including her detained brother, Greco. She said she was worried about her brother’s safety inside the jail considering that the other inmates may blame Greco for the suspension of the visitation privileges.

Miguel assured Greco’s safety but added that there is no special treatment going on inside CPDRC.

“Mahirap yung almost 3,600 kami but we’re taking up measures to ensure their protection ng mga individual inmates.  Not just for Greco but for the rest,” Miguel said.

CPDRC currently has 3,579 inmates, already more than twice its capacity of only 1,500 persons.

Cebu Vice Governor Agnes Magpale said that Gigi was more concerned on the welfare of Greco’s children as both Greco and his partner, Maricel, are behind bars.

Magpale said that the province is giving the children sessions with a psychologist through the Provincial Women’s Commission to process their experience.

“Ang amo sa PWC is the best interest of the children. Since both Greco and Maricel are there (in jail), somebody has to take custody of the children. Mao g’yud to ang unang rason nganong miduol si Gigi,” she explained.

Another inmate also in isolation is Joavan Fernandez, the notorious son of former Talisay City Mayor Socrates Fernandez. Both he and Greco were found with cellphones during the search. (FREEMAN)