2 days ago
5
BULACAN Gov. Daniel Fernando has suspended the provincial jail warden and jail guards for allowing persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) to go in and out of the Bulacan Provincial Jail.
According to Fernando, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) gave the provincial government on April 22 clearance to impose the preventive suspension against the provincial warden, retired police colonel Rizalino Andaya, on Thursday.
The suspension was in relation to the arrest by personnel of the Criminal Investigation Detection Group (CIDG) Bulacan Field Office of two inmates who were allowed to freely go in and out without any clearance or court order.
The governor said that among those who were also suspended were the arrested jail guard and two to three more jail guards who have not yet been named.
Andaya and his jail guards are likely to face administrative cases, according to Fernando.
Get the latest news
delivered to your inbox
Sign up for The Manila Times newsletters
By signing up with an email address, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
It took several days before the governor made the move, since a sitting candidate is prohibited from acting during an election period.
Fernando appointed as officer in charge of the Provincial Civil Security and Jail Management Office (PCSJMO) retired police colonel Manuel Lukban Jr., concurrent head of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO).
On April 13 at around 5 p.m. in Barangay Dakila, Malolos City, the Bulacan CIDG arrested PDLs Abdua Arajalon and Mario San Jose, after receiving information that they were free to leave the Bulacan Provincial Jail even though they have pending cases.
Arajalon is said to be a former member of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) and the "mayor" of the Bulacan Provincial Jail, a member of the Sputnik Gang facing a murder case, while San Jose is the "chairman of Barangay 11" in their cell who is facing a homicide case and also a member of the Sputnik Gang.
Escort jailguard Tee Jay Jimenez was also arrested for "illegally escorting a detainee without court authorization" and Arajalon's wife Sarah Wahid for conspiracy allegedly giving consent to the detainees to escape.
The four were arrested while riding in a red Toyota Hilux. A caliber .45 and a Glock .9mm were also recovered from them.
