A local political prisoner support group pressed its call for the removal of the Negros Occidental District Jail–Male Dormitory warden it said is “abusive.”
Kapatid-Negros said Jail Superintendent Atty. Crisyrel Awe has escalated his “cruelty, arbitrariness, and systematic violation of fundamental human rights” despite repeated formal complaints against him.
The group said Awe’s violations of the rights of persons deprived of liberty (PDL) in the jail facility have become “a matter of national concern that requires immediate action from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).
Kapatid-Negros said it has documented severe ordeals being suffered by PDLs under Awe, including drastic reductions in food rations, suspension of livelihood and educational programs, extreme visitation restrictions and prolonged solitary confinement.
Awe also neglects elderly and sick detainees, causing the death of PDL Warlito Turbela last November 7, Kapatid-Negros reported.
WHAT WENT BEFORE:
a. 600 Bago City inmates conducting ‘silent protest’ vs warden
b. Bago City jail fires rubber bullets, tear gas at protesting inmates
c. Negros Occidental warden back to abusive ways vs PDLs, rights group reports
Kapatid noted that the recent ruling of Bacolod RTC Branch 44 Judge Ana Bernad granting the writ of habeas corpus to Lorenzo Perolino — after finding his solitary confinement exceeded the 15-day limit — “confirms the abuses at the Negros Occidental District Jail–Male Dormitory are real, unlawful, and cannot be ignored.”
Kapatid questioned why Awe was reinstated on September 19 despite repeated complaints, when other wardens facing similar allegations are immediately suspended and investigated.
“Why is Warden Awe given special treatment, even as drugs reportedly continue inside the jail, while PDLs are subjected to a stranglehold of control, deprivation, and arbitrary punishment?” said Fides Lim, Kapatid spokesperson.
Kapatid also questioned Awe’s recent promotion to Jail Superintendent despite multiple charges by PDLs of repeated “harsh, demeaning, and degrading treatment,” including drastically reducing food rations to 6 PDLs per cell despite a population nearing 20.
Kapatid reiterated the following demands:
- Immediate suspension or removal of Warden Awe;
- Restoration of educational, rehabilitative, and livelihood programs;
- Improvements in food, medicine, sunning, and visitation for PDLs;
- Protection of detainees and their families from retaliation;
- Independent investigations by the CHR and BJMP National Headquarters; and
- Urgent intervention by the provincial government of Negros Occidental and the Department of the Interior and Local Government. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)
