To prevent another escape from the New Bilibid Prison (NBP), Senator Robin Padilla sought guidelines that would make sure the Commander of the Guards there would have sufficient personnel and authority.
Padilla stressed this among other reforms following the Senate’s hearing on the escape from the NBP of Michael Catarroja, who said he managed to escape because there was no keeper in the grounds.
“Siguro sa susunod magkaroon ng guideline na ganoon, kung kaya ng opisyal ang position. Parang doon nanggaling. Hindi ko kayo sinisisi, tapos na ang sisihan. Dapat ngayon na siguro in aid of legislation kami ni Sen. Tolentino, pag-usapan namin kung paano hindi ito mangyayari uli,” Padilla said after hearing the testimony of Corrections Senior Inspector Purificacion Hari.
“Mabigat na position ang commander of the guards,” added the legislator, who was jailed in the NBP for more than three years.
“Kailangang ang Commander of the Guards ay siga.”
The lawmaker also suggested to Bureau of Corrections Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. to make sure the Commander of the Guards is “siga.”
During the hearing, Hari cited a shortage of personnel under her when she was appointed as Commander of the Guards. She said she had to tap women to escort Persons Deprived of Liberty. Hari added she was surprised when she was appointed to the post.
Padilla lauded her and resigned Bilibid Deputy Director Angelina Bautista for taking command responsibility instead of making excuses.
“’Yan ang kailangan natin, accountability, inaamin agad.”
“’Yan ang kailangan natin, accountability, inaamin agad kaya nakakawala ng init ng ulo. Minsan sa hearing namin palpak na nagmamagaling pa,” he said.
Meanwhile, Padilla reiterated his call to ensure the rights of PDLs are respected, in accordance with the Nelson Mandela Rules of the United Nations.
He also pushed anew for funding to build new structures in Bilibid and for the approval of his bill to regionalize Bilibid, to address the problem of overcrowding.
