CPDRC dalaw suspension unfair – CHR
The Commission on Human Rights in Central Visayas (CHR)-7 believes that the suspension of visiting rights of the inmates in Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) as unfair.
“We think it is unfair. Lisod man na nga ang tanan idamay sa sala sa pipila lang,” CHR-7 chief investigator Leo Villarino stated. (Do not punish every one for the wrongdoing of some.)
After contrabands were confiscated again in the recent greyhound operation, the CPDRC management suspended their visitation rights or “dalaw” to punish all 3,600 inmates.
“Every inmate has their own fault, and they should be punished accordingly to their own mistakes na ilang nahimo. If the regulations nga ilang (management) gihimo would mean nga kung usa ra'y nakasala, bawalan na ang tanan, it's unfair. That should be addressed on a case to case basis,” said Villarino.
Meanwhile, Provincial Administrator Mark Tolentino explained that a disciplinary action needs to be implemented because they have always confiscated drugs and other contrabands every greyhound operation.
“I think the thing that they can do is to police themselves. Kapila na man gyud na nga as a consequence sa greyhound is i-suspend ang dalaw. Of course maamong ang uban, wala man sad ta kabalo'g kinsa. There has to be some measures sad of discipline,” he said.
He added his office has received numerous complaints against CPDRC management from the inmates' families but this is the first time that the office received a complaint from the inmates directly.
On behalf of the inmates, lawyer Inocencio Dela Cerna submitted a written request for investigation and complaint at the CHR-7 yesterday.
The request states that there is a need for a direct communication between the CPDRC inmates and the Office of the Cebu Provincial Governor so that they may be able to air their grievances and complaints and cooperate in finding ways and means to thresh out a viable solution with the problem.
Dela Cerna said that the inmates also conducted a peaceful protest yesterday afternoon by wearing something black and staying in the middle of the quadrangle while clinging to each other's arms.
However, the members of the press were denied access to the facility yesterday.
In response, CHR will then be stepping in through organizing a dialogue with the jail management and the complainants.