133 inmnates moved to new Bantayan district jail

CEBU, Philippines — One hundred thirty-three persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) were transferred back to the new Bantayan District Jail (BDJ) in northern island of Cebu on Saturday.

They were previously booked in Medellin District Jail, which is over a two-hour travel to Bantayan via Hagnaya Port in San Remigio town.

The PDLs were escorted by BDJ personnel led by District Jail warden, Jail Inspector Neal Rosaroso, together with Quick Response Team (QRT) and BJMP Special Tactics and Response (STAR) Team.

Both Bantayan and Medellin jails are managed by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).

The transfer came after the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) turned over Friday the new facility of BDJ to BJMP-7.

DPWH renovated BDJ to accommodate the growing numbers of PDLs.

During the renovation, Bantayan’s PDLs were temporarily transferred to MDJ last September 16, 2020 - exactly a year ago.

Officiated by BJMP-7 regional chaplain, Jail Chief Insp. Thomas Augustine Catarata, the blessing and inauguration ceremony was attended by Fourth District Representative Janice Salimbangon, Bantayan Mayor Arthur Despi, DPWH Assistant District Engineer Susan Ornopia-Aroa, BJMP-7 regional director, Jail Chief Supt. Efren Nemeño, and Rosaroso.

Salimbangon said she worked hard to

get fundings for the project so PDLs will have the best form of correctional facilities while being deprived of their liberty.

“A successful reintegration of inmates in our society starts in the way they were treated and afforded basic human rights while being deprived of their liberty and that includes comfortable living space for them,” said Salimbangon.

Salimbangon also congratulated the BJMP and the whole BDJ personnel for not only thinking of themselves but also the welfare of the detainees.

The BJMP-7, in a statement, said the old facility of BDJ was “diminutive for the growing numbers of PDL“.

Bantayan jail is housing 133 PDLs, which is beyond its ideal capacity of 82. Its congestion rate is at 63 percent.

Medellin facility, on the other hand, has 359 inmates. It was built for only 298 inmates, resulting in congestion (21 percent). — KQD (FREEMAN)