Detainees at the Negros Oriental Detention and Rehabilitation Center yesterday appealed to government officials to help them obtain speedy trials and early resolutions of their cases.

Inmates at the provincial jail said most of them have been languishing in jail for 10 years now, and could not be assured of early justice because some courts do not have judges.

A suspected drug pusher, Rogelio Amaya, said his case was transferred from one court to another in the absence of a presiding judge. He added that the police officer who busted him 10 years ago in Barangay Looc, Dumaguete City, was even convicted ahead of him.

The former police officer identified as Jerry Kho, was also nabbed for selling shabu, and was recently sentenced to life and eventually shipped to the national penitentiary in Muntinlupa.

Amaya said he considers this divine justice, because the police officer who caused his arrest is jailed for life for violating provisions of Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

NODRC acting jail warden Diomedes Sombilon said the jail is not just a place for violators and criminals to be detained, but also a place for rehabilitation and repentance.

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