The Commission on Human Rights in Negros Occidental will conduct an independent investigation today on the alleged manhandling of five minor inmates by two jail officers, at about 9 p.m. on March 9, at the Handumanan jail, in Bacolod City.

Romeo Valdevarona, officer-in-charge of the CHR in Negros Occidental and Bacolod City, told the DAILY STAR last night that this will be an independent probe, without prejudice to the results of the one being done by the regional office of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.

An incident report of the Department of Social Welfare and Development yesterday revealed that the mother of one of the minor detainees complained that her son had been beaten by two jailers identified as Senior Jail Officer 4 Emidardo Arcenas and JO3 Ramon Gicana.

The victims are aged 15 to 16. Valdevarona said that if their evidence warrants the filing of administrative and criminal charges against the two BJMP men, they will lodge the case before the Office of the Ombudsman.

If those responsible for the manhandling are custodians of the inmates, they may be liable for maltreatment of prisoners, and if they are not, it will be a case for serious physical injuries, Valdevarona said.

The DSWD report also disclosed that two inmates named Eleanardo Dalag and Adolfo Infante were among those who beat the victims.

The DAILY STAR learned yesterday that, of the five victims, only three have been found with hematoma in their bodies, the result of the March 14 examination certified by city medical officer Eli Cong showed.

Provincial jail administrator Samson Abaygar yesterday assured there will no whitewash in their investigation.

He said he will endorse the result of the investigation to their regional office. Abaygar said SJO4 Arcenas is reportedly undergoing training while Gicana is on leave.*GCT

back to top