Relieve all guards at CPDRC, Magpale suggests

Officials of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) has recommended the relief of 10 jail guards following the discovery of P236,000 worth of illegal drugs during a joint greyhound operation earlier this week.

But if she had her way, Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale wants all CPDRC guards relieved to stop the smuggling of illegal drugs and contraband in jail.

Acting CPDRC warden Roberto “Bobby” Legaspi told reporters that the recommendation to relieve the 10 guards was made during a meeting with the jail’s task force yesterday.

Aside from the guards’ relief, jail officials also recommended to permanently close the CPDRC’s canteen after it was allegedly be- ing used as a front for the illegal drug trade inside the jail.

Legaspi told reporters that as of yesterday, the 10 jail guards have been reassigned to other areas at the CPDRC while an investigation is being conducted. If proven that they assisted the inmates in smuggling drugs and contraband, the jail guards could lose their jobs, Legaspi said.

Legaspi said they plan to seek the assistance of the local police to replace the jail guards who will be relieved.

The CPDRC Task Force is also recommending closing down the jail’s canteen as a measure to prevent illegal drugs from being smuggled there.

During the greyhound opera- tion, illegal drugs were found in one of the egg trays kept at the CPDRC’s canteen. The canteen helped augment the income of the inmates, but he can’t tolerate its being used for illegal means, he said.

He hopes he inmates will understand the situation and will not negatively react to the canteen’s closure.

“There is always an option to bring it back. It is under our control,” Legaspi said.

But he said it will still be up to Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III if he intends to relieve the guards and close the canteen.

Magpale, for her part, wants all of the 68 jail guards assigned at the CPDRC relieved.