President Arroyo sacked Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) director Ricardo Dapat and ordered the investigation of other prison officials following the flight of convicted child rapist Romeo Jalosjos to his hometown.
Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez made the announcement yesterday, saying Mrs. Arroyo wanted the relief of Dapat in the wake of the “escape” of Jalosjos last Saturday, which highlighted the apparent negligence of prison officials in custody of the former Zamboanga del Norte congressman.
Even though Dapat has been ordered relieved by the President, Gonzalez stressed the former BuCor director and other officials would remain under investigation over the escape.
“Upon instructions of the President, I have installed (former police) general (Oscar) Calderon as acting director of the Bureau of Corrections,” Gonzalez said.
“Notwithstanding that (Dapat) was relieved, we are still investigating him. We might suspend some of them (BuCor officials) in the next few days, but we cannot also suspend everybody, otherwise there will be no more staff left in the bureau, which is very critical considering the number of prisoners inside (the New Bilibid Prisons),” he said.
Asked why Dapat was fired, Gonzalez said recent developments “speak for themselves.”
“There is an investigation ongoing,” he said.
Dapat announced the release of Jalosjos on Dec. 15, a week before the former congressman flew home to Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte, surprising Malacañang and other officials who were unable to explain the circumstances of the escape.
Dapat had claimed signing the release papers of Jalosjos without the need to coordinate with Malacañang or the Board of Pardons and Parole.
He said the former lawmaker has already substantially served his reduced sentence under the law.
Gonzalez said Dapat learned of his relief and accepted it “like a good soldier.”
Gonzalez said Dapat only wanted to air his side on the “escape” incident.
“Maybe (Dapat) wants to explain himself,” Gonzalez said.
For the meantime, Jalosjos will remain in detention at the San Ramon Penal Colony in Zamboanga City, Gonzalez said.
Jalosjos turned himself in a few hours after making his escape to Dapitan last Saturday.
Jalosjos though insisted he was legally released, carrying with him the release papers signed by Dapat.
Jalosjos filed a writ of habeas corpus questioning his recommitment order of the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Gonzalez said the DOJ is studying the custody issue of Jalosjos following the revocation of the release order.
“We will decide that later. I am still making consultations... If he is to be transferred to a colony, it should be the (NBP) director to (order his) transfer. It is within the executive powers of the director,” he said.
Gonzalez stressed that under NBP rules, Jalosjos should be returned to its custody unless otherwise ordered by the NBP director.
Gonzalez also said the DOJ is looking into the living out conditions and privileges of Jalosjos inside the NBP to determine if any abuses had been committed.
He added the DOJ will await the court’s decision on the writ of habeas corpus filed by Jalosjos.
Call of duty 2
Gonzalez revealed the President yanked Calderon out of retirement to head the BuCor to put things in proper order following the embarrassing escape of Jalosjos.
“It is very important that the President has made her decision and called General Calderon from retirement. Luckily, he has not entirely retired yet. He is answering the call of duty once more,” Gonzalez added.
Calderon, for his part, said he was informed of his appointment by Gonzalez and Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita.
Calderon retired as chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) last Oct. 1 after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56.
“I was informed (of my appointment) last Dec. 23 by Secretary Ermita and Secretary Gonzalez. I am thankful for the trust and confidence given by the President,” he said.
Calderon vowed to steer BuCor to “greater heights.”
“I will do my best to steer the BuCor to greater heights. I am taking over BuCor at this time of the year. This shows the urgency of the job. Like a good soldier being called to service, I am bringing with me my 38 years of experience in the police,” Calderon said.
When asked if he intends to order the immediate return of Jalosjos to the NBP, Calderon said all orders would emanate from the Justice Secretary being the immediate superior.
Gonzalez earlier ordered an investigation into the culpability of prison officials in allowing Jalosjos to fly out to his hometown in Dapitan last Saturday.
Gonzalez noted Jalosjos was confined in the minimum security section of the NBP where inmates may roam freely without guards.
Gonzalez had conceded it was possible that Jalosjos just walked through the front door since everyone knew he was supposed to be a free man based on a release order issued by the NBP.
Jalosjos was convicted in 1997 for statutory rape and sentenced to two life terms.
President Arroyo had commuted his prison sentence to just 16 years, three months and three days.
The reduced jail term ended this month and Jalosjos was given a release order by jail officials based on computation of the time the former lawmaker had served, counting allowance for good behavior.
The computation was, however, questioned by the DOJ in recalling the release order. -With Cecille Suerte Felipe, Roel Pareno