Eight provincial inmates dead due to illnesses

EIGHT inmates in the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) died this month due to cardiopulmonary illness.

Another two deaths were recorded last month. CPDRC records showed that most inmates were having difficulty breathing before they died.

“Most of them died in the hospital and some already had a history of illnesses. Wala nato pasagdi, paadtuon man na sila sa clinic. Atimanon gyud na sila (We didn’t neglect them. They are being brought to our clinic. We take care of them),” CPDRC Warden Romeo Manansala said.
But he admitted that congestion inside the facility had worsened whatever illnesses the inmates may have been afflicted with before they died.

As of the latest count, there are 2,973 inmates inside the CPDRC which can accommodate only 2,000.

Manansala said 20 to 40 inmates have to squeeze inside a single cell which is ideal only for 12 to 18 people.

CPDRC records show that there were eight inmates who died between July 2 and July 24.

The youngest of them, 31-year-old Joselito Pantaleon, died last July 19 due to cardiopulmonary arrest based on his death certificate.

The oldest reported to die this month was 72-year-old Andres Repono who passed away last July 22. He was brought to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) after he complained of difficulty in breathing.

Based on his medical records Repono, who was in jail due to attempted murder, was previously treated for pulmonary tuberculosis.

Other reported deaths in July include Leonides Barbero, 39; Marcelino Lagunda, 67; Wilfredo Talaugon, 56; Eulegio Pogado, 57; Allan Bastismo, 41; and Richard Ybañez, 34.

For the month of June, two deaths were recorded. They were Wilfredo Ontong Jr., 39; and 82-year-old Margarito Baringke who was jailed for murder.

Merryssa Baring, chief nurse of the CPDRC, said each of the inmates who died had different medical histories.

But she admitted that the congestion inside the facility may have been a factor in their deaths.