No riot inside the provincial jail yesterday but only heated exchange of words between inmates.
About 10 visitors were refused entry to the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) in Barangay Kalunasan, Cebu City, after the jail management suspended family visitation for the entire day due to an altercation between a group of five inmates and peacemakers.
One of them, 70-year-old Bellen Ababon, said she wanted to visit her son but was not able to enter the facility.
“Naghulat ko diri hapit na duha ka oras pero wala man ko pasudla pa (I’ve been waiting here for almost two hours already, but they did not allow me to enter),” Ababon said.
She said she was told by other visitors that a riot inside the jail caused the suspension of family visitation.
But acting jail warden Dr. Gil Macato clarified that no riot had happened inside the jail but only a heated verbal exchange between inmates.
“Walay riot nga nahitabo. Only misunderstandings between inmates that led to a heated argument. When we were informed (about the incident), we immediately locked up the whole facility,” Macato said.
He said the peacemakers reprimanded an inmate, but other inmates came to his rescue and later a verbal tussle ensued.
“Kanang disciplinary actions nga siyempre naay mo-react. Kadtong mga peacemakers or sergeant at arms sa sulod mao toy mopahamtang og punishment sa mga nakasala. Mao to dihay ni-react naglaban-laban hangtod nagkainitay,” Macato said.
Macato admitted that physical punishment exists between inmates especially those who violate the rules inside the jail. But he said he is not sure if there are inmates who are against this practice.
“Dili mana maltreatment kay ilaha manang practice diha sa sulod. Kami dili man pud mi kahilabot ana diha. Kay makahibaw man lang mi pud naay gisilotan diha pagkahuman na (That is not maltreatment since that’s their practice inside the jail. We, the management, also could not interfere since it’s very hard to catch them in the act. We will only learn about the physical punishment later),” Macato said.
Macato said that the altercation happened around 8 a.m. and they decided to lock down the jail also for the safety of visitors. After the two groups were pacified, all the inmates were locked inside their cells.
Macato said the family visitation will resume next week.
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