CATBALOGAN CITY- Prisoners at the Samar Provincial Jail are calling for the ouster of their jail warden accusing of string of violations against them. The 300 strong prisoners wrote a letter dated April 17 to Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan and Vice Gov. Stephen James Tan seeking for the ouster of jail warden Jail Guard 3 Victor Templonuevo.
The prisoners accuse Templonuevo of various allegations which include reducing the cost of their daily meals to P21 from P35; inhuman or degrading punishments; providing special treatment to certain prisoners and immorality involving some jail guards. “We are being treated worst than criminals and being judged as guilty of (the crimes imputed against us),” Renato Baleros, one of the prisoners who signed the petition and a member of Anti Repression and Corruption Committee of Samar Province, said.
As of press time, it was not yet known what were the actions taken by Gov. Tan on the call of the prisoners against Templonuevo. Meanwhile, Ipe Soco of Katungod Sinirangan Bisayas, said that there had been a pattern of complaints that they received concerning conditions of prisoners in the region, not just inhuman treatment but also overcrowding which is a clear violation of the constitutional rights of the inmates. `We call on authorities to uphold rule of law, to respect human rights and to ensure that every people to include the prisoners, are afforded all the human rights and fundamental freedoms to which all citizens are entitled, including the right to express their views freely,”Soco added.(JAZMIN BONIFACIO)
