Negros Occidental District Jail (NODJ) inmates won in their demand to have their warden replaced following a five-day standoff in Bago City.
The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology-Negros Island Region (BJMP-NIR) relieved Atty. Crisyel Awe and appointed Jail Senior Inspector Raymund Aro as interim replacement.
Following violent attempts by jail authorities to stop the inmates’ noise barrage on Thursday, BJMP-NIR held a dialogue with Commission on Human Rights representatives and human rights lawyers Rey Gorgonio and Waks Apawan to resolve the standoff.
READ: Bago City jail fires rubber bullets, tear gas at protesting inmates
Warden Awe was then seen leaving NODJ at 5:15 in the afternoon, followed by restoration of electricity and water services in the facility that were cut-off earlier, along with the firing of rubber bullets and tear gas at the inmates.
Human Rights Advocates Negros (HRAN) commended the more than 600 protesting inmates in their “peaceful but militant action” as well as their respective families and support groups.
READ: 600 Bago City inmates conducting ‘silent protest’ vs. warden
Political prisoner support group KAPATID acknowledged BJMP director general Ruel Rivera on his decision to relieve Awe and de-escalate a human rights emergency.
“May this series of events remind us that prisoners, whoever they may be, do not protest without reason. Their unified petition for humane treatment must continue to be addressed with sincerity, transparency, and compassion,” KAPATID said.
Awe is the second jail warden relieved by the BJMP this month following complaints by inmates of abusive management style.
Tacloban City Jail-Female Dormitory warden Eva Naputo had been relieved after political prisoners Frenchie Mae Cumpio and Marielle Domequil complained of violation of their rights as persons deprived of liberty. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)
