CPDRC inmates want Toral back

CEBU, Philippines - The inmates of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center have launched a signature campaign asking Governor Hilario Davide III to retain Marco Toral as consultant on jail matters.

 At least 2,000 inmates has signed the request submitted to Davide Monday afternoon.

Lito Granada, leader of the inmates, said they were shocked and saddened by the unexpected resignation of Toral. He said Toral has been a good person to them and readily available in times of need.

 "Medyo na subo mi kay wala na among consultant. Mao to ang gahatag namo og kadasig, among mga binilanggo sa iyang pag dumala, dako kaayo mi og subo, mao na nag hinoktok mi tanan ba, kay kun unsay among problema dali ra namo sya masangpit,” he said.

 Since Toral resigned Monday, Granada said some inmates have become depressed and sickly. He recalled how Toral inspired and changed them behind bars.

  "Lahi ang sa una, kay ang sa una pait among kahimtang sama sa among pagkaon, sa among prebilihiyo nga wa gyud gihatag, sama pananglitan anang stay in nga makauban namo among pamilya ug mga livelihood programs,” he said.

 Granada defended Toral from allegations that the latter was involved in the illegal drugs trade inside the jail facility. He said that on the contrary it was Toral who allegedly strengthened the anti-drug campaign inside the provincial jail.

According to him, Toral had been very active in raiding cells resulted in the confiscation of illegal drugs and paraphernalia.

“Gipanghingosgan niini ang pagbatok sa gidiling drugas pinaagi sa searching sulod sa selda halos matag adlaw,” he said.

 CPDRC Jail Warden Romeo Manansala agreed that Toral was generous and kind-hearted.

 “Atong inmates usa sila sa naapektuhan nga nawa si Toral. Generous kaayo nga pagkataw ug unsay problema sa ato inmate iya tabangan,” he said.

Manansala, however, assured that Toral’s resignation won’t affect the jail’s operations.

On the other hand, the inmates also asked Davide to restore their visitation privileges. It has been two weeks now since the visitation has been cancelled.

 The CPDRC suspended the visitation privileges of inmates following Arnel Mait’s escape. Mait escaped by disguising himself as one of the visitors. He had his own stamp on his arm and a visitor’s ID with him when he slipped past the CPDRC guards.

 The manhunt operation against the inmate has been going on for over two weeks already.

CPDRC houses 2, 973 detainees way beyond its capacity of only 1,600. The facility has 119 cells and each cell with an area of 18-square meter is being occupied by 30 to 40 inmates exceeding the standard 12 to 18 capacity. (FREEMAN)