CEBU CITY, PHILIPPINES — The National Office of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) assured the public that no special treatment will be given to Sarah Discaya and eight other DPWH officials while detained at the Lapu-Lapu City detention facility.
BJMP spokesperson, Jail Superintendent Jayrex Joseph Bustinera told The Freeman that normal protocols will be imposed on the nine individuals who are accused and jailed in connection with the P96.5-million ghost flood control project in Davao Occidental.
Bustinera emphasized that the Lapu-Lapu City BJMP officials were ordered to treat them equally with other persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) inside the local jail.
“Most likely, normal lang. They’re following the usual protocol. Kung anong ginagawa sa ordinary na PDL natin, pare-pareho lang ang protocol—walang VIP treatment,” said Bustinera in a phone interview yesterday, December 21.
He added that these measures complied with the strict directives of Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla and BJMP Chief Jail Director Ruel Rivera.
“Generally, yun naman yung na-observe natin at mahigpit na ipinagbilin ng DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla and Chief BJMP Jail Director Ruel Rivera … Mahigpit na pinagbilin against VIP treatment. Everyone should be treated equally,” he said.
In the case of Discaya, who used to live a luxurious life, Bustinera said that she is currently locked up in a detention cell with two other female newly-committed PDLs.
He added that, as per protocol, the three have been placed under observation for medical quarantine for at least five days since they were detained on December 20.
“Ang protocol is not more than five days under observation sa medical quarantine—isang best practice rin niyan kasi with best learnings from COVID[-19] and other communicable diseases,” said Bustinera.
After five days, Discaya and two other female inmates will be transferred to the general population, where there are four cells inside the female dormitory.
The BJMP spokesperson also admitted that the situation inside is currently congested and overcrowded with 80 actual detainees inside, underscoring that it is only supposed to cater 40 PDLs inside.
“Unfortunately, it’s congested 200 percent or more. The ideal population is 40, (but) the actual population is 80. So, doble ng capacity—siksikan ito,” he said.
In terms of privileges, Bustinera said that Discaya will enjoy the same privileges as others, particularly the standard visiting schedule.
“Kung ano ang ii-enjoy na privilege ng isang PDL, she will also get. Visiting schedule will follow kung ano yung standard visiting schedule pati yung kung sino ang pwedeng dumalaw,” he said.
Among the people who can visit Discaya are her immediate family members and lawyers, said Bustinera, adding that she also has access to the “e-Dalaw” system, which allows inmates to communicate with their families through online video call.
Rehabilitation programs, which will be led by the Lapu-Lapu City Jail facility, will also be granted to all the inmates, including Discaya, said Bustinera.
Furthermore, Bustinera disclosed that the national BJMP officials are set to visit the Lapu-Lapu City Jail today, December 22, to personally inspect and assess the readiness of the local detention facility in complying with their detention guidelines.
He added that the BJMP will also ensure that the Lapu-Lapu City Jail personnel are not treating Discaya and other accused in the flood control scandal in a special way.
“The BJMP will conduct an inspection (December 22)…para titignan yung preparedness, part naman yun ng protocol,” said Bustinera.
| Written by Nicholas Jon Malaga
