THE last time she spoke with Angelito, Angelina Cabalquinto said, she felt chills in her spine when her older brother told her about frequent fights inside the provincial jail.
That was July 30.
Less than three weeks later, Angelina received the news that Angelito died inside the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC), reportedly of a cerebral hemorrhage.
Acting warden Alito Gabuya’s report has said Angelito was hanging his clothes when he lost his balance, hit his head and fell unconscious. By the time the others brought him to the prison clinic, he was dead.
But Angelina said the autopsy contradicted Gabuya’s report. The doctor told her that Angelito died of blunt traumatic injuries to the head and body.
“Daghan kuno siyag bun-og. Posibleng gitabangan siya’g kulata (He had many bruises. So it’s possible he was mauled),” she said.
Newly designated Capitol consultant Lito Astillero was ordered yesterday to verify allegations detainees were mauled inside the provincial jail.
Astillero, a lawyer, is the new chairman of the committee on discipline and investigation.
Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia said Astillero is expected to finish the investigation after five days, beginning on Monday.
She also said the jail authorities will transfer Leo Suico, an inmate who was convicted of murder, to the national penitentiary in Muntinlupa.
In a previous interview, Garcia said she wants investigators to verify reports Suico has been forcing the inmates to join their dance practice and led the alleged mauling incident.
A reliable source told Sun.Star Cebu an autopsy showed detainee Cabalquinto died of an “injury (caused) by a blunt object.” He died last Wednesday morning.
Another inmate, Benjie Undit, is reportedly dying after he was mauled by fellow inmates. Undit is allegedly being kept in cell number 48 and being giving hot and cold compress treatments by other inmates to minimize the bruises.
The last time the Cabalquintos spoke together, Angelito shared his worries with his sister.
“Giingnan ko niya wa na kuno siya kahibawo sa kinabuhi didto. Sige kuno’g kagubot (He told me that life inside the jail was hard. He said there were frequent riots),” she told Sun.Star Cebu.
Byron Garcia, former Capitol consultant on security, visited the Cabalquintos in Mandaue City yesterday.
Angelina said Byron encouraged them to seek justice for her brother’s death. But for now, their primary concern is giving him a dignified burial.
Angelito was jailed in CPDRC after he was charged with attempted rape four years ago. He was about to face a court hearing next week, Angelina said.
When he was younger, Angelito used to have vices, Angelina said. But his time in jail was life-changing.
“Na-lay minister siya sa chapel. Magsige nato siyag dalag Bibliya (He became a lay
minister. He always carried a Bible),” she said.
In most of their phone conversations, Angelito never failed to tell Angelina to keep praying and to repent for her sins. In that last phone call, Angelina remembered her brother saying: “Ginoo na la’y mahibawo sa akong kinabuhi (I leave my life up to God).”