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Wednesday, January 19, 2005
Despite resignation, jail probe on: Garcia
By Minerva B. Gerodias
DESPITE his resignation, Capitol’s consultant on penology will still be investigated for alleged dishonesty and inappropriate special treatment to certain inmates.
Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia did not accept the resignation of retired police colonel Benjamin Lascuña although he will no longer be connected with the operations of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC).
Lascuña’s resignation will be put on hold pending investigation and until he can account for all his accountabilities.
“Considering the gravity and the seriousness of the allegations, the governor has not accepted yet the resignation of Col. Lascuña. But Lascuña is no longer connected with the operation of CPDRC,” consultant Pablo John Garcia said yesterday.
In the meantime, Acting Jail Warden Algier Comendador will oversee the operations in CPDRC.
Pablo John, however, did not elaborate on the allegations, saying the matter is still being investigated by the committee on discipline and investigation headed by lawyer Manolette Dinsay. The committee now has in its possession the affidavits of one inmate and two guards.
Memorandum
Pablo John also said the committee already issued a memorandum to let Lascuña explain his side and turn over the properties and equipment in the CPDRC of which he is accountable. Lascuña, however, failed to give his reply.
Yesterday, the committee issued another memorandum giving Lascuña 72 hours to answer.
“If he will not respond, we will resolve the case on the basis of the evidence on record. At least he has been given a chance. That is all what due process requires, give him a chance to be heard. If he does not want to be heard, it is not our lookout anymore,” Pablo John said.
Lascuña served for barely two months as consultant for penology.
Governor Garcia appointed Lascuña, a retired police colonel who has a broad background in jail matters, last November after illegal drugs, several deadly weapons and other contrabands were found in the CPDRC during a surprise operation.
Common sense
As to the proposal of militant groups to transfer the management of CPDRC to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Pablo John said he hopes they will “match their (militarism) with a modicum of common sense.”
BJMP had said it cannot take over because CPDRC is a property of the Provincial Government and being the jailer is an essential function of the governor.
“I hope they will do research before issuing statements. I know this is propaganda and if you issue statement for propaganda and these statements are ridiculous, it does not work,” Pablo John said.
Militant groups have been rallying against the CPDRC management and Governor Garcia after political detainee Edgardo Sacamay cried maltreatment during a sit-down strike the inmates staged last month.
But a physician who had examined Sacamay said the detainee had no signs of torture or maltreatment on his body.
(January 19, 2005 issue)
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