Davide lifts suspension of CPDRC inmates’ visiting privileges

INMATES of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC), except 60 of them who are assigned at detention cell numbers 26 and 98, were already allowed to receive visitors starting yesterday.

But acting jail warden Audusti Miguel clarified that the resumption of inmates’ visiting privileges has nothing to do with the recent visit of Provincial Board Member Grecilda “Gigi” Sanchez–Zaballero at the governor’s office on Tuesday.

“We resumed (visiting privileges) because it’s for the greater good. We did an evaluation. Under the good authority of the governor, we decided to bring back the inmates’ visiting rights,” Miguel said.

CPDRC task force member Roberto Legaspi said on Monday that the suspension of the visiting privilege of the more than 3,000 inmates resulted from the discovery of cell phones used by high profile inmates Leodegreco “Greco” Sanchez and Joavan Fernandez.

On Tuesday, PB Member Sanchez visited the Office of Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III to raise a concern on Legaspi’s earlier pronouncement.

Legaspi clarified on the same day that the discovery of cell phones from Sanchez and Fernandez’ possession was only one of the considerations which led Gov. Davide to order the suspension of inmates’ visiting privileges.

He said that the discovery of drugs and other contraband during the October 5 greyhound operation was a major consideration in the governor’s decision.

To prevent imposition of new sanctions, Miguel said that the CPDRC task force is asking inmates to follow jail rules and regulations.

“Just follow the house rules to avoid your visiting privileges from being suspended once again. Never smuggle contraband items in the jail like illegal drugs and cell phones,” he added.