CPPO to probe dirty jail ‘exposé’

CEBU, Philippines – The Cebu City Police Office will look into the condition of the detention cells at the police stations in the city following a video that showed the unsanitary cell at the Mabolo Police Station.

The video was uploaded on YouTube by two foreigners who got arrested on November 17, 2015 for climbing over the perimeter fence of Calyx Residences at the Cebu Business Park.

Investigation said David Laffargue, 27, and Nathan Pertusat, 28, are base jumpers and wanted to jump off from the top of the Calyx building using a parachute.

They were released eventually with the help of a friend.

On January 1, Laffargue posted the video ta-ken from inside the jail at the Mabolo Police Station with the caption: "Urban basejumping is like that: sometimes you're a ninja, sometimes you run fast… and sometimes you end up in a shitty cell!"

The video showed the toilet bowl that Laffargue described as "a bit dirty," a pile of garbage inside the cell, and a piece of carton that they utilized as a bed.

Laffargue also warned "not to go to Philippine jails because Philippine jail sucks."

Senior Superintendent Marciano Batiancela Jr., acting chief of CCPO, said he will call the attention of the Mabolo Police Station chief and inspect the detention cells of police stations.

"And ako mismo, I will conduct inspection in these detention cells. Although we don't have facilities here as good as theirs in their country, ours here is the cleanliness," Batiancela said.

Senior Police Officer 4 Roldan Paller, the chief of the Mabolo Police, admitted there are times when the detention cell is not cleaned properly. He said the police station only has one helper and, oftentimes, the number of detainees exceeds the cell's capacity.

"Naa man gud usahay nga di na gyud maato sa striker tungod sa kadaghan sa mga piniriso sa sulod," Paller said.

He said they have already sought the help of barangay officials to address the problem of sanitation.

Senior Superintendent Rey Lyndon Lawas, chief of the Regional Directorial Staff in the Police Regional Office-7, said ensuring that the detention cell is clean and habitable is the responsibility of the jail official.

He said they will call the attention of the police station and will investigate formally if initial findings show negligence on the part of the jail officer or commander.

Meanwhile, Lawas said the office will also find out why the foreigners were able to use their mobile phones and take a video inside the detention cell.

Paller said detainees are not allowed to bring phones inside the jail but there are times when they can be made to use the same to contact their lawyers.

"Wala man sad ta kahibawo gud nga ang pananghid manawag sa abogado pero ga-picture-picture diay sa sulod," Paller said. — Ma. Fatima R. Secuya/JMO (FREEMAN)